Chiri-tsubaki-Reikanji

Tuyama, 1968, Camellias of Japan, p.149, pl.195: This is the falling camellia or “petal scattering camellia” and the name appears to have been applied to a number of camellias with this habit. The type would seem to be the old plant in the grounds of the Buddhist Temple, Reikanji, Shishiga-tani, Sakyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Japan. Leaves rather small, lanceolate to broadly-lanceolate, rarely narrowly ellip­tic, veinlets a little impressed, petioles glabrous. Flowers semi-double, deep pink, Rhodamine 527, sometimes pink and white variegated, petals narrowly obovate. Petals completely falling after flowering. Late blooming. Originating in Japan. This plant is reputed to be over 380 years old.