Hong Kong Camellia

Taxobox | name = Hong Kong Camellia
status = EN
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Ericales
familia = Theaceae
genus = "Camellia"
species = "C. hongkongensis"
binomial = "Camellia hongkongensis"
binomial_authority = Seemann

"Camellia hongkongensis"(Chinese: 香港茶, also Hong Kong Camellia) is a species of "Camellia". It is a small evergreen tree which can grow to 10 m tall.

Its young branches are reddish brown. The leaves are leathery and oblong with 7-13 cm long. The young branches and leaf are glabrous. [http://www.hkherbarium.net/Herbarium/html%20text/27Camellia%20hongkongensis.htm Hong Kong Herbarium: "Camellia hongkongensis"] ] . Of the Camellia species native to Hong Kong, only this species bears red flowers.

In Hong Kong, three individuals of the species were first discovered in a ravine in Victoria Peak by Colonel Eyre in 1849; it is later found in Pok Fu Lam, Mount Nicholson, Mount Parker on Hong Kong Island. It is also found in Guangdong [http://www.hkherbarium.net/Herbarium/html%20text/27Camellia%20hongkongensis.htm Hong Kong Herbarium: "Camellia hongkongensis"] ] .

Some living specimens are planted in the Shing Mun Arboretum [http://www.hkherbarium.net/Herbarium/html%20text/27Camellia%20hongkongensis.htm 27. 香港茶 Camellia hongkongensis ] ] .

In Hong Kong, it is a protected species under Forestry Regulations Cap. 96A.

It was introduced to Japan in 1958 from Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.

References