The genus camellia has hundreds of different species, but only a few are known to gardeners, and even fewer are used in agriculture.

Here are some special species you should know :

Camellia sinensis

Camellia japonica

Camellia reticulata

Camellia sasanqua

Camellia nitidissima

Camellia saluenensis

Camellia lutchuensis

Camellia fraterna

Camellia pitardii var pitardii

Species names are always in lower case, and the word 'Camellia' is always capitalised. ie Camellia sinensis. This applies to all plants and all animals. Sometimes it is shortened to: C.sinensis, if the full word has already been mentioned.

All species of camellia originated in Asia; mostly in Japan and China. Camellia species are still found there in the wild today.

Camellia japonica is said to have come to Europe by accident; the Europeans thought they were Camellia sinensis (tea) plants. Because of this mistake, there are now thousands of named C.japonica cultivars across the world.

We hope, if you are ever in our hemisphere, you will visit Australia and one of our camellia growing regions between May and September. In the meantime, have a look at these pages to learn more about camellias in Australia.