Mostly a shrub to 3 m or so tall with pale bark. Leaves narrow oblong to lanceolate, leathery, mostly 12-16 cm long, 3-5 cm wide, tip long pointed, base wedge-shaped. Bracts 5, yellow-green. Flowers 3-4 cm wide, waxy, pure yellow; stalks 1-1.5 cm long. Petals 8-10. Style 3-4 lobed. Fruits to 5 cm wide, warty surfaced. [C. chrysantha (Hu) Tuyama]

First reported in 1965, seeds were released to the west in 1979 (Australia in 1980).

It is a species on which many breeding experiments are now centred to develop what would undoubtedly be extremely popular yellow flowers.

Grafted specimens may be vigorous although flowering may be poor.

S China

Large leaves; brilliant yellow flowers.

Source: Withers, R.M.; Spencer, R. (1997). Camellia. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press. (as Camellia nitidissima var. nitidissima)