Deciduous tree to about 5 m or more tall. Bark reddish, peeling. Leaves ovate to obovate, 5-10 cm long, 4-6 cm wide, with short, narrowed pointed tip, colouring yellow, orange, red in autumn. Leaf stalks reddish. Flowers solitary on stalks 2 cm or more long, white, fragrant. Petals densely silky hairy on the outside, margins slightly crinkled. Stamens with orange anthers; summer. Capsule to 2 cm long, hairy outside with 5 shallow ribs.

Montane Japan, Korea

VIC: Dandenongs ('Pirianda')

 

S. malacodendron L., Silky Camellia, from North America has purple filaments.

S. monadelpha Siebold & Zucc. from C and S Japan has white, fused filaments and oval to lanceolate leaves 4-6 cm long.

S. ovata (Cav.)Weath. from SE North America has free styles and

S. sinensis Rehder & E.H. Wilson from China has capsules over 2 cm wide.

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.