CAMELLIAS 
transition from bracts to sepals and from sepals to petals. The petals 
agree in number with the sepals, and cohere slightly at their base; 
stamens numerous. They are hardy, or nearly hardy, evergreens, natives 
of China, Japan, Borneo, and India. 
History The cultivation of the Camellia in this country dates 
back to less than one hundred and sixty years. It is said 
that the first plants were introduced in 1739 by Lord Petre—natural 
single red forms of G. japonica as shown in Plate 46. More than half 
a century passed before the introduction of the double white and double 
striped from China, and soon after that the double red came. Early in 
the present century G. sasanqua was introduced from China; G. oleifera 
in 1819, G. reticulata in 1824. These are the principal garden species. 
They are usually treated as greenhouse plants, but some of the forms of 
C. japonica can endure the outdoor climate of the South-West of England 
in fairly sheltered positions. It is interesting to learn that the first two 
plants of G. japonica introduced were sold for a considerable sum of 
money, and, as seemed fitting for such expensive things, they were taken 
great care of, by being placed in a hothouse. Here probably their roots 
got dry—the principal danger in growing Camellias—and they died. 
Some years later, James Gordon, a nurseryman, attempted to grow a 
plant in the cooler, moister air of an orangery, and succeeded not only in 
flowering it, but also in propagating it. 
Camellia euryoides (Eurya-like). A shrub about 
P 16 ' 4 feet high, with hairy branches, lance-shaped leaves 
which are silky beneath, and toothed. The white flowers are borne on 
scaly stalks, and appear from May to July. A native of China (intro¬ 
duced 1822). 
C. JAPONICA (Japanese). The Common Camellia. Stems, 20 feet; 
leaves, egg-shaped with long narrow points, and toothed edges, leathery, 
varnished. The flowers are produced in the axils of the leaves, stalkless, 
and are variously coloured, white, red, blush, flesh, yellow, streaked, etc.; 
they appear from October to July. This is the parent of the multi¬ 
tudinous forms of Garden Camellias raised in Europe, chiefly in 
Belgium and France. A large number have also been introduced from 
China and Japan. 
C. DRUPIFERA (bearing fruit like cherries). Stems, 4 feet; leaves 
lance-shaped, with long points; flowers small, white, fragrant, May to 
July. Seeds yield a medicinal oil. Native of East Himalaya. 
C. oleifera (oil-bearing). Stems, 6 feet; leaves elliptic-oblong; 
flowers solitary, white, numerous, and fragrant, May to July. Native of 
China. 
