Camellia sasanqua
Camellia
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Camellia genus in the family Theaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
The oil obtained from the seed is edible if it is refined[20][2][6][13]. It is said to be equal in quality to olive oil[16]. The leaves are mixed with tea to give it a pleasant aroma[16][13].
- Plant part
- Seed
- Product or use
- Oil
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Product or use
- Tea
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
Demulcent, expectorant[11].
- Product or use
- Demulcent
- Product or use
- Expectorant
Material uses
A non-drying oil is obtained from the seed - used as a hair-dressing and textile oil[20][22][9][10]. A green dye is obtained from the pink or red petals[8]. A decoction of the plant (could this refer to the oil in the seed??) is used as a soap substitute for washing oily clothes[11]. Plants can be used as a hedge. The cultivar 'Onigoromo' has been especially mentioned for this purpose[15].
- Plant part
- Petals
- Product or use
- Dye
- Plant part
- Seed
- Product or use
- Oil
- Plant part
- Seed
- Product or use
- Soap
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Southern Japan in Kyushu and the Islands southwards.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- very acid, acid, neutral
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - can be sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[4]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water and the hard covering around the micropyle should be filed down to leave a thin covering[23][4][5]. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 23°c[5]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions when they are more than 15cm tall and give them some protection from winter cold for their first year or three outdoors[K]. Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 10 - 15cm with a heel, August/September in a shaded frame. A high percentage take, but they are slow to root[23]. Cuttings of firm wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, end of June in a frame[3][23]. Keep in a cool greenhouse for the first year[3]. Leaf-bud cuttings, July/August in a frame.
Cultivation
Prefers a woodland soil but thrives in a warm open well-drained loam if leafmould is added[1][3][17]. A calcifuge plant, preferring a pH between 5 and 7[3][17]. Dislikes cold winds[3]. Prefers the partial shade of a light woodland[17], growing well in a woodland clearing[7]. Many cultivars tolerate full sun, in fact one report says that the species flowers better in a sunny position[12] and another that the plant prefers a hot sunny position[15]. Plants are hardy to about -10°c[14]. Another report says that this species is very cold hardy if it is sheltered from cold winds[3]. Prefers a wet summer and a cool but not very frosty dry winter[17]. Another report says that the plant requires hot summers if it is to do well[19]. Plants are not very self-compatible, self-fertilized flowers produce few seeds and these are of low viability[17]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is closely allied to C. oleifera[3]. The cultivar 'Narumi-gata' (which is sometimes mistakenly called C. oleifera) is a very reliable shrub in Britain[3]. Plants resent root disturbance and are best planted out into their final positions whilst still young. This species is cultivated in Asia for the oil in its seed, there are many named varieties mostly developed for their ornamental value[12]. The flowers have a delicate sweet perfume[18].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0942375009
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan. 1989-00-00
Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8
Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00