Camellia japonica L.

Snow Camellia

Shrub

Perennial

Vascular

Japanese Camellia is an introduced evergreen shrub in the Tea family (Theaceae). It is the state flower of Alabama. Japanese Camellia is widely cultivated, especially in south Alabama. It persists around old home sites, and escapes infrequently from dispersed seed. Japanese Camellia is one of three species of Camellia commonly cultivated in Alabama and the most popular species seen in cultivation. There are over 2,000 named cultivars of Japanese Camellia, and more are developed each year. Flower color ranges from red through pink to white and variegated. Wild plants have five to seven petals and a large mass of stamens in the center of the flower. In many cultivated forms the stamens have modified into additional petals. The fruit is a capsule with one to five large brown seed. Squirrels and Blue Jays often consume the seed, and are responsible for dispersing them. Seedlings often revert to the “wild” form with few petals. Christmas or Yuletide Camellia (Camellia sasanqua Thunb.) is the second most common species in Alabama. It has smaller leaves and flowers than Japanese Camellia and usually flowers earlier in the year. Camellia reticulata Lindl. Is similar to Japanese Camellia but usually has larger flowers and larger, thicker leaves.--A. Diamond

This species was first collected escaping from cultivation in Conecuh Co., Alabama by A. Diamond in 2011.

Not Native

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