Camellia cuspidata explained

Camellia cuspidata, also known by the common name cuspidate camellia,^[1] is a species in the genus Camellia, in the family Theaceae. It is native to China,^[2] specifically the west. It occurs in the provinces of Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang.^[3]

Description

C. cuspidata is an evergreen shrub which reaches up to 3 metres in height at maturity. It leaves are a glossy dark green, and its flowers, which measure 2–3 centimetres across, are pure white. It flowers from December–April, and fruits from August–October.

Etymology

Camellia is named for Georg Joseph Kamel (1661–1706), a Jesuit missionary, pharmacist and naturalist.^[4]

Cuspidata means 'suddenly narrowed to a short, rigid tip', like a canine tooth.

Notes and References

1. RHS Plants. Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/2840/Camellia-cuspidata/Details [accessed 13/02/21]
2. Web site: Camellia cuspidata in Tropicos. 2018-12-24. 2018-12-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20181224121956/https://www.tropicos.org/Name/31600005. live.
3. Flora of China via eFloras. Available at: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200014029 [accessed 13/02/21]
4. Gledhill, David (2008). "The Names of Plants". Cambridge University Press. (hardback), (paperback). pp 87, 129