Camellia reticulata
Tall pink-flowered camellia from Yunnan, grown for gardens and tea oil
Camellia reticulata is a flowering shrub or small tree native to southwestern China, especially Yunnan and Sichuan. It has large pink flowers and is grown both for its beauty and for tea oil. The plant is the floral emblem of Yunnan and has been cultivated for centuries.
- Native to Yunnan and Sichuan in southwestern China
- Large pink flowers, sometimes almost white
- Floral emblem of Yunnan province
- First brought to Europe in 1820
- Grown for both tea oil and ornament
What does Camellia reticulata look like?
Camellia reticulata is a shrub or small tree that can reach 10 to 15 meters tall. Its leaves are elliptic to oblong-elliptic, measuring 5 to 11 centimeters long. The flowers are large, 7 to 10 centimeters across or even bigger in some cultivated forms, with soft to deep pink petals and rarely almost white. Each flower usually has 5 to 7 petals, but some cultivated types have more. The plant produces a light brown, three-part fruit capsule in autumn.
Where does Camellia reticulata come from?
This camellia grows wild in southwestern China, mainly in Yunnan and Sichuan provinces. It has a long tradition of cultivation in China, valued for both ornamental use and for producing tea oil. The first Camellia reticulata known in Europe arrived in England in 1820, brought by Captain Richard Rawes. For over a hundred years, it was the only reticulata grown in Europe.
When and how Camellia reticulata blooms
Camellia reticulata blooms late in the season, with flowers appearing from March to May in the northern hemisphere and from August to October in the southern hemisphere. It is sensitive to cold and prefers milder climates. The plant is grown as a garden shrub or small tree, often chosen for its showy flowers. It can be propagated from seed or cuttings.
How Camellia reticulata is used
People grow Camellia reticulata mainly for its ornamental flowers in gardens and parks. In Yunnan, it is also valued for tea oil. The plant is a symbol of Yunnan province, serving as its floral emblem. Its large blossoms make it a favorite in home gardens where the climate is suitable.
Kinds of Camellia reticulata
Some cultivated forms of Camellia reticulata have larger flowers and more petals than the wild type. The flower color can range from soft pink to deep pink, and rarely to almost white. The cultivar 'Captain Rawes' was the first introduced to Europe.
What Camellia reticulata means
Camellia reticulata is the floral emblem of Yunnan, reflecting its importance in local culture. It has a long history of cultivation in China, both for its beauty and for practical uses like tea oil. Its introduction to Europe in the early 19th century marked the start of its spread as an ornamental plant outside China.
Where Camellia reticulata is used and seen
Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical GardensA historic garden and zoo in Central, Hong Kong with themed plant collections
New Orleans Botanical GardenA public garden in City Park with themed plant collections and art deco features
Dandenong Ranges Botanic GardenA cool-climate garden in the hills near Melbourne, famous for rhododendrons and cherry blossom
Hunter Valley GardensA vast themed garden and event venue in Pokolbin, New South Wales
Mendocino Coast Botanical GardensA coastal garden in Mendocino County, California with ocean views and diverse plantings
South China National Botanical GardenA major botanical garden in Guangzhou with diverse plant collections and research focus
ChabanaSimple flower arrangements for the Japanese tea ceremony
Sim's Park, CoonoorA century-old botanical garden in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil NaduQuestions people ask about Camellia reticulata
Where does Camellia reticulata come from?
Camellia reticulata is native to southwestern China, especially the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces.
What does Camellia reticulata look like?
It is a shrub or small tree with large, soft to deep pink flowers, elliptic leaves, and can grow up to 15 meters tall.
When does Camellia reticulata bloom?
It blooms from March to May in the northern hemisphere and from August to October in the southern hemisphere.
What is Camellia reticulata used for?
It is grown for its ornamental flowers and for tea oil, and is the floral emblem of Yunnan province.
Is Camellia reticulata important in culture?
Yes, it is the floral emblem of Yunnan and has a long history of cultivation in China.
Good reading and sources
- IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesIUCN Red List, Article
- USDA Plants DatabaseUS Department of Agriculture, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
- Camellia reticulata on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Camellia reticulata", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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