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''Camellia sasanqua'', with common name sasanqua camellia, is a species of ''Camellia'' native to China and Japan. It is usually found growing up to an altitude of 900 metres. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 5 m tall. The leaves are broad elliptic, 3–7 cm long and 1.2–3 cm broad, with a finely serrated margin. The flowers are 5–7 cm diameter, with 5–8 white to dark pink petals. ==History and uses== At the beginning of the Edo period, cultivars of ''Camellia sasanqua'' began appearing; the first record of the cultivars of this plant was made by Ihei Ito (1695–1733).〔(Winter Flowers ''Camellia sasanqua'' )〕 In Japan, it is not considered to be a true Camellia as the Japanese call it Sazanka (サザンカ, 山茶花).〔(Botanic Gardens Trust—Camellias )〕 ''C. sasanqua'' was not known in western societies until 1869 when Dutch traders imported some specimens into Europe. It is now also introduced to Australia and the United States.〔 It has a long history of cultivation in Japan for practical rather than decorative reasons. The leaves are used to make tea while the seeds or nuts are used to make tea seed oil,〔(''Camellia sasanqua'' ) in BoDD – Botanical Dermatology Database〕 which is used for lighting, lubrication, cooking and cosmetic purposes. Tea oil has a higher calorific content than any other edible oil available naturally in Japan.〔 ''C. sasanqua'' is valued in gardens for its handsome glossy green foliage, and fragrant single white flowers produced extremely early in the season. Various cultivars have been selected, of which 'Crimson King',〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2262 )〕 'Hugh Evans'〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2263 )〕 and 'Jean May'〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselector/plant?plantid=2264 )〕 have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Camellia sasanqua」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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