Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Camellia oleifera Abel.

Fully-hardy, small, erect tree with slender branches and elliptic or obovate leaves and scented, single white flowers in autumn.  To 7m by 4m.  [RHSE].  

Horticultural & Botanical History

Introduced to Europe in 1811.  [Hilliers’].  The Botanical Register gives its date of introduction as 1820, by Captain Nesbitt, and states that it was this introduction ‘from which, and subsequent importations of the (Horticultural) Society, all the plants now in the country have been derived.’  [BR f.942/1826].  ‘According to Dr. Abel, the Chinese cultivate it largely for the nuts, from which they obtain sweet oil of a very excellent quality.  It grows to the size of a cherry tree, and bears in great profusion.’  [LBC no.1065, 1825].  ‘A very tall shrub, pyramidal; leaves ovate-oblong, slightly crenate, flat; flowers biternate, white, single, rather large.  From the fruit of this shrub, the Chinese extract an oils of a sweet odor, with which they perfume their apartments.’  [Berlèse Monography p.49/1838].  Chandler pl.3/1831.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1843 and 1845 catalogues only.

Notes

Published Jul 05, 2009 - 03:02 PM | Last updated Jul 31, 2010 - 04:57 PM

Depicted is a camellia with single white flowers, the centre filled with yellow stamens.  Chandler pl.3, 1831.

Camellia oleifera Abel. | Chandler pl.3/1831 | RBGS

Family Theaceae
Category
Region of origin

China

Synonyms
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Camellia oleifera 

Confidence level high