Camellia japonica

Camellia japonica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Theaceae
Genus: Camellia
Species:
C. japonica
Binomial name
Camellia japonica

Camellia japonica, known as common camellia,[2] or Japanese camellia, is a species of Camellia, a flowering plant genus in the family Theaceae. There are thousands of cultivars of C. japonica in cultivation, with many colors and forms of flowers. Despite its common name, it is native to China, not Japan. The cultivation of Camellia japonica also started in China. Its widespread cultivation can be traced back to the Song Dynasty, when 15 varieties of Camellia japonica were recorded in literature. It was later introduced to Japan.[3] It grows in forests, at altitudes of around 300–1,100 metres (980–3,600 ft).[4]

The leaves of this species are rich in anti-inflammatory terpenoids such as lupeol and squalene.[5]

  1. ^ Wheeler, L., Su, M. & Rivers, M.C. (2015). Camellia japonica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T62054114A62054131. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T62054114A62054131.en Archived 2023-11-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  2. ^ English Names for Korean Native Plants (PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. 2015. p. 385. ISBN 978-89-97450-98-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017 – via Korea Forest Service.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Botanica 176 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference MinBartholomew was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Majumder, Soumya; Ghosh, Arindam; Bhattacharya, Malay (August 2020). "Natural anti-inflammatory terpenoids in Camellia japonica leaf and probable biosynthesis pathways of the metabolome". Bulletin of the National Research Centre. 44 (1): 141. doi:10.1186/s42269-020-00397-7. ISSN 2522-8307.