9 . 
CAMELLIA JAPONICA POMPONIA. 
Pompom Camellia. 
Camellia Japonica Pomponia. Bot. Register, t. 22. Loddiges’s Bot. Cabinet, t.596. 
Pompone, or Kew Blush Camellia. Curtis’s Monograph, pi. 3. 
THE habit and general character of this variety so much resembles 
that of the Pseony-flowered, and Various-flowered, as to render it im¬ 
possible, when they are not in blossom, to distinguish them from one 
another. By many it has been considered a doubtful variety; but after 
having observed it, for several years, invariably produce the same sort 
of flowers, we are decidedly of opinion that, in this respect, it is as 
permanent and distinct a variety as any in cultivation. It is very 
probable that it was first obtained from a sport of the Various- 
flowered, which we have occasionally seen with perfect flowers of the 
Pompone, and the red, white, and blush varieties of the Pseony-flowered, 
upon the same plant. In growth it is more slender and erect than 
almost any of the other sorts; the shoots are also of a paler colour, and 
but thinly clothed with foliage. It is believed to have been first im¬ 
ported for the Royal Garden at Kew, about the year 1810, and is 
generally known by the name of the Pompone, or Kew Blush Camellia. 
The leaves, although comparatively narrow, are of an oval form, 
much recurved and pointed. They may be said to be usually about three 
and a half inches long, and rather more than an inch and a half broad, 
but seldom exceed this size; their edges are slightly revolute, and very 
sharply serrated. The midrib and veins are conspicuous on the upper 
side, from being paler than the uniform colour of the leaves, which 
is always a rich, shining, deep green. The footstalks are upwards of 
half an inch long, nearly round, or but a very little flattened on the 
upper side, and of the same colour as the veins and midrib. 
The flower buds are at first a good deal pointed, but afterwards 
they become blunt and round. The scales are thin and roundish, of a 
dull silvery green colour, slightly covered with pubescence. 
The flowers are very delicate and showy, measuring, when iully 
expanded, from three and a half to four inches in diameter. They 
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