Stewartia malacodendron L.

Silky Camellia

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Silky Camellia is a native deciduous shrub in the Tea family (Theaceae). It occurs throughout Alabama, but is most common in the southeastern portion of the state. Silky Camellia occurs in rich hardwood forests along streams and rivers, and in ravines. It is a deciduous shrub reaching 15 feet in height. The bark is smooth and reddish brown in color. It flakes in strips from older stems. Leaves are alternate, pubescent, oblong to elliptic in outline, with finely serrate margins. Flowers are produced singly from the axils of the leaves. Flowers are subtended by 2 large green bracts. Flowers have five white petals. In some populations, the petals are often marked with streaks of purple-red. There are 50-100 purple stamens in the center of the flower. Silky Camellia has one style. The fruit is a capsule containing 1-4 angular brown seed. Silky Camellia is listed as an S2S3 species in Alabama (S2 - Typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state. S3 - Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in the state) and globally as a G4 species (imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors). Silky Camellia is difficult to transplant and should not be dug from the wild. Plants can be purchased from nurseries that specialize in native species. Ideal sites for these plants are sheltered woody areas with rich loamy soils. It prefers moist but well drained soils. Silky Camellia is slow growing and does not respond to pruning well. A second species, Mountain Camellia (Stewartia ovata (Cavanilles) Weatherby), occurs in north Alabama. It has yellow anthers and five styles.--A. Diamond

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Native S2S3 (State Rank) G4 (Global Rank)

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