Common Name:

General Information

Camellia pitardii is an evergreen shrub or a tree; it usually grows from 3 - 7 metres tall, occasionally reaching 9 metres[].
The plant is often cultivated for its oil rich seeds, and is also often grown as an ornamental.
Camellia pitardii has a wide distribution in southern China. This species is threatened by extraction of specimens for gardening or as root stock. However the scope and severity of this threat is not thought to affect the entire distribution of the species. 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.

Habitat

Forests and thickets, on slopes and by rivers; at elevations from 500 - 2,800 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	7.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
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[].
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[].
Plants are not very self-compatible, self-fertilized flowers produce few seeds and these are of low viability[].
This species is closely related to Camellia reticulata[], and is often grown as an ornamental[].
This plant is sometimes cultivated in Asia for the edible oil in its seed[].

Edible Uses

An oil obtained from the seed is used in cooking[, ]. This species is an important resource for oil[].
The oblate capsule is 25 - 35mm x 30 - 50mm (occasionally up to 70 x 80mm), 3- loculed, with brown, globose to semiglobose seeds 10 - 15mm in diameter[].
The seed capsule of var compressa is oblate, 60mm x 80mm[].

Medicinal

This species is an important resource for pharmaceuticals[].

Other Uses

The oil obtained from the seed of 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.