Camellia semiserrata
Chi.
gbif· cc-by-nc
michael-ma
gbif· cc-by-nc-sa
GBIF
gbif· cc-by-nc
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Herbarium: Vascular Plants (NCU-Vascular Plants)
Description
Camellia semiserrata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 12 m (39ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from January to March, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Edible Uses
A fragrant oil is obtained from the seed. It is used in cooking. The ovoid capsule is usually 60 - 80mm x 50 - 60mm, 3 - 5-loculed with 1 - 5 brown seeds around 15 - 20mm in diameter per locule. The capsule of var magnocarpa is around 12cm in diameter.
Distribution
E. Asia - China.
Where It Grows
Coming Soon
Cultivation
Prefers a woodland soil but thrives in a warm open well-drained loam if leafmould is added. A calcifuge plant, preferring a pH between 5 and 7. Prefers the partial shade of a light woodland. Prefers a wet summer and a cool but not very frosty dry winter. Plants are not very self-compatible, self-fertilized flowers produce few seeds and these are of low viability. This species is closely related to C. reticulata. The plant is often cultivated in China for the oil in its seed.
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, August/September in a shaded frame. High percentage but slow. Cuttings of firm wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, end of June in a frame. Keep in a cool greenhouse for the first year. Leaf-bud cuttings, July/August in a frame.
Other Uses
Oil. None known
