Common Name:

General Information

Camellia brevistyla is usually an evergreen shrub usually growing 1 - 3.5 metres tall; it occasionally becomes more tree-like, growing 5 - 8 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild, and also cultivated, for its oil-rich seeds. It is also grown as an ornamental in gardens.
Camellia brevistyla is a widespread species across southern China. There are general threats of deforestation and habitat loss due to the growing population (agricultural expansion and urban developments). Also, this species is collected for food oil purposes - however it has been reported as being abundant and recorded as able to regenerate in deforested areas. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southern and eastern China

Habitat

Forests, thickets, mainly in hilly areas; at elevations from 200 - 1,100 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Camellia species are found mainly in the warm temperate to subtropical regions of southern China, and most species experience mild winters with few frosts plus wet summers[]. Camellia brevistyla has proved to be hardy in North Carolina, and in the southwest of Britain[]
Species in this genus generally prefer a peaty, more or less lime-free soil with a pH in the range 5 - 7, but most will grow well in an open loam to which ample leaf-mould has been added, so long as it is well-drained and lime-free. Most species are understorey plants in forests (preferably oak or pine) and prefer a warm, sheltered position with moderate shade; at least at the hottest time of day[, ]. Requires a position sheltered from strong winds[].
The species is cultivated as an oil crop, and is also a recognized as having horticultural value in its own right, especially due to its bark characteristics[].

Edible Uses

An oil obtained from the seed is used for cooking[].
The subglobose capsule is 10 - 18mm in diameter, usually 1-loculed and containing one brown, subglobose seed around 10 - 15mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Probably a pioneer species[] - it has also been recorded as regenerating vigorously in deforested areas in Guangdong Province (Jiyin et al. 2005). It dominates the broadleaf forests of northern Taiwan[]

Other Uses

Due to disease-resistance traits of the species, and its ability to hybridize with Camellia sasanqua, it may have important genetic material for the horticultural trade[].

The seed has a high oil content. It is used as a cooking oil[].

The oil from this species is likely to be very similar in quality to that obtained from Camellia oleifera. The uses of that oil are as follows:-
The seed contains 40 - 50% of a non-drying oil. The oil consists mainly of oleic acid. It is not subject to polymerize nor to oxidize, nor does it form solids at low temperatures[]. The oil has a wide range of applications. It is a good raw material for industrial uses, it is used as an illuminant, in making textiles and in the manufacture of items such as soap, margarine, hair oil, lubricants, inks and paint. It is also used in the synthesis of other high-molecular weight compounds, and to make a rustproof coating for metals. It is often used medicinally and in cosmetics in items such as skin creams and anti-wrinkle compounds[, , , , , ].
Various compounds are extracted from the seeds once the oil has been removed. These include saponins (used an emulsifying agent in pesticides, for foam-forming fire extinguishers and in detergents), tannins and pentosan[].
The seed cake has insecticidal activity, and has been proven to give effective control over a range of pests[, ].

Propagation

Seed - can be sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse[]. Stored seed should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water and the hard covering around the micropyle should be filed down to leave a thin covering[, , ]. It usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 23°c[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions when they are more than 15cm tall and give them some protection from winter cold for their first year or three outdoors[].
Cuttings of almost ripe wood, 10 - 15cm with a heel, mid summer to early autumn in a shaded frame. High percentage but slow[].
Cuttings of firm wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, end of early summer in a frame[, ]. Keep in a cool greenhouse for the first year[].
Leaf-bud cuttings, mid summer in a frame.