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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Camellia reticulata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 10 m (32ft) by 5 m (16ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower in March, and the seeds ripen in October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil
Edible Uses: Oil

An edible oil is obtained from the seed[177, 183]. This is a particularly good oil-bearing species[180].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Oil

None known

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a woodland soil but thrives in a warm open well-drained loam if leafmould is added[1, 11, 200]. A calcifuge plant, preferring a pH between 5 and 7[11, 200]. Prefers the partial shade of a light woodland[200], but established shrubs do well in full sun. They require protection from cold winds. A very ornamental plant[1] but it is only hardy in mild areas of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[184]. Prefers a wet summer and a cool but not very frosty dry winter[200]. Plants are not very self-compatible, self-fertilized flowers produce few seeds and these are of low viability[200]. This species was named after the cultivated garden form, the true wild form is C. reticulata simplex. Sealy[180].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed - can be sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[113]. 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[78, 113, 138]. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 23°c[138]. 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. High percentage but slow[78]. This species does not strike from cuttings. Cuttings of firm wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, end of June in a frame[11, 78]. Keep in a cool greenhouse for the first year[11]. This species does not strike from cuttings. Leaf-bud cuttings, July/August in a frame. This species does not strike from cuttings.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Guizhou Sheng (west), Sichuan Sheng (southwest), Yunnan Sheng)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Camellia biflora		Shrub	9.0	-		LM	SN	M	2	0
Camellia chekiangoleosa	Camellia	Shrub	6.0	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0
Camellia gracilis	Camellia	Shrub	4.0	-		LM	SN	M	2	0
Camellia japonica	Camellia, Common Camellia, Japanese Camellia	Shrub	10.0	7-9	S	LM	FSN	M	3	2	2
Camellia kissi		Shrub	12.0	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	2
Camellia oleifera	Tea-Oil Plant, Tea Oil Camellia	Shrub	4.0	6-9	S	LM	SN	M	2	2	2
Camellia pitardii		Shrub	7.0	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0
Camellia polyodonta		Shrub	4.5	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0
Camellia sasanqua	Camellia, Sasanqua camellia	Shrub	3.0	7-9	S	LM	SN	M	3	1	4
Camellia semiserrata		Shrub	12.0	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0
Camellia sinensis	Tea Plant, Assam tea, Tea Tree Camellia	Shrub	4.0	7-9	S	LM	S	M	4	4	3
Camellia sinensis assamica	Tea Plant, Assam Tea	Shrub	10.0	8-10	S	LMH	SN	M	4	4	3
Camellia yunnanensis		Shrub	3.6	7-10		LM	SN	M	2	0
Stewartia pseudocamellia	Japanese Stewartia	Tree	15.0	4-7	S	LMH	SN	M	1	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Camellia reticulata - Lindl.