T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network

Camellias Japonica

Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Theaceae
Genus: Camellia L.
Species About 100–250,

The camellias is a flowering plant in the family Theaceae. They are native to eastern and southern Asia, from the Himalaya east to Japan and Indonesia. There are 100–250 described species, with some controversy over the exact number. The genus was named by Linnaeus after the Jesuit botanist George Joseph Kamel from Brno, who worked on the Philippines. This genus is famous throughout East Asia. The most famous member – though often not recognized as a camellia – is certainly the tea plant (C. sinensis).

Photo below is of a camellia at the Waiwaka Reserve
Name: Camellia japonica alba plena
Common Name: KATE SHEPPARD
Category: CAMELLIA JAPONICA
Description: Large white informal double anemone, sometimes a touch of pale pink. It has a strong bushy growth. It was named to commemorate Kate Sheppard (1848 - 1934), leader of the suffragist movement in New Zealand which campaigned to give women the right to vote. The suffragists adopted this beautiful White Camellia Camellia japonica alba plena as their symbol.