Genus: Camellia (camellias)

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) >  Eudicotyledons >  Core Eudicots >  Asterids > Order: Ericales >  Family: Theaceae

Common Camellia Cammelia japonica, Company Gardens, Cape Town.

• Camellia japonica (camellias - garden flowers). Camellia japonica is a well-known garden plant originating from Japan, with over 2000 named cultivars. Flowers can be pink, red, variegated or mottled. Flowers in winter/spring.
• Camellia sinensis (Tea). Tea is the second most commonly drank liquid on earth after water. It has numerous medicinal benefits mainly due to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The cafeine in tea keeps us awake, sometimes too much so. Excessive tea drinking can cause anaemia due to inhibition of iron uptake.