Camellia

views updated May 29 2018

Camellia (family Theaceae) A genus of evergreen shrubs and small trees, many of which are grown for their showy flowers as ornamentals. C. sinensis is the tea plant; its variety assamica yields Indian tea. There are 82 species, occurring in eastern Asia.

camellia

views updated May 29 2018

ca·mel·lia / kəˈmēlyə/ • n. an evergreen eastern Asian shrub (genus Camellia) of the tea family, grown for its showy flowers.

camellia

views updated May 21 2018

camellia genus of shrubs. XVIII. — modL., f. name of Josef Kamel (latinized Camellus), a Moravian Jesuit who described the botany of Luzon; see -IA 1.

camellia

views updated May 23 2018

camellia Genus of evergreen trees or shrubs of the family Theaceae, native to e Asia. It has oval, dark green leaves and waxy, rose-like flowers which may be pink, red, white or variegated. Camellia japonica is the most common species.