Common Name:

General Information

Camellia gymnogyna is an evergreen shrub or a tree; it usually grows from 3 - 8 metres tall, but can reach 10 metres[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a tea and has potential for commercial production like the closely related China tea (Camellia sinensis). It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.
Camellia gymnogyna has a wide distribution. However, it has been stated that subpopulations are rare and scattered and it is thought that the population trend is decreasing. This species is likely to be threatened by deforestation for agricultural and urban expansion and by over-harvesting for tea, in at least parts of its range. 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 China (Guangdong, northern Guangxi, southern Guizhou, southeastern Yunnan)

Habitat

Evergreen broad-leaved forests; at elevations from 1,500 - 1,800 metres, occasionally descending to 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	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[].
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[].
Camellia gymnogyna has potential for both tea production and garden use. It has been identified as a crop wild relative of Camellia sinensis. This species has been identified to suffer fewer diseases and insect pests, have a higher yield and specific flavour compared to Camellia sinensis making it an important germoplasm resource for breeding[].
Both wild and cultivated forms of the various related species of tea plant (Camellia sinensis) are monoecious, insect-pollinated and self-incompatible[].

Edible Uses

The leaves are used locally for tea[]. Commonly used within its native range as a substitute for the closely related China tea (Camellia sinensis)[].

The seeds of Camellia species are generally rich in oil and many are harvested from the wild and/or cultivated for their oil. We have no specific information for this species[].
The globose capsule is 50 - 80mm in diameter, 3-loculed with 2 brown, hemispherical seeds around 20mm in diameter per locule[].

Medicinal

This is one of several species of Camellia that are closely related to China tea (Camellia sinensis) and whose leaves are used to make tea. It is very likely to be used interchangeably and to have the same medicinal virtues as China tea - these are detailed below:-

Camellia sinensis is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[]. Modern research has shown that there are many health benefits to drinking tea, including its ability to protect the drinker from certain heart diseases. It has also been shown that drinking tea can protect the teeth from decay[], because of the fluoride naturally occurring in the leaf[].
Trials have shown that tea can be effective in the clinical treatment of amoebic dysentery, bacterial dysentery, gastro-enteritis, and hepatitis. It has also been reported to have antiatherosclerotic effects and vitamin P activity[].
The leaves have a rich content of polyphenols - these are reported to have various bioactivities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, and antimutagenic[].
Some caution needs to be applied when using tea in large quantities since it also contains some tannin, which is suspected of being carcinogenic[].
The plant contains caffeine and excessive use can lead to dizziness, constipation, indigestion, palpitations and insomnia[].

The leaves are antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, cardiotonic, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant and astringent[, , , , , ]. They exert a decided influence over the nervous system, giving a feeling of comfort and exhilaration, but also producing an unnatural wakefulness when taken in large doses[]. They are used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis and gastro-enteritis[, ].
Applied externally, the leaves are used as a poultice or wash to treat cuts, burns, bruises, insect bites, ophthalmia, swellings etc[, , ].
Only the very young leaves and leaf buds are used for medicinal purposes, these can be harvested throughout the growing season from plants over three years old and are dried for later use[].
Teabags have been poulticed onto baggy or tired eyes, compressed onto headache, or used to bathe sunburn[].

Other Uses

None known

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.