Jiuxin Shibaban

Zhou Li, 2011, Illustrated Handbook for Sichuan Camellias, p.122. Plant habit very vigorous, with open rounded canopy. Medium growth in rate, with longer internodes, relatively thick. Leaves slightly sparse, elliptical or obovate, apex apiculate, base obtuse, flat, yellowish green, heavy texture but soft, serration in leaf edge small, measuring 8.5 cm to 10 cm long by 4 cm to 4.5 cm wide. Sepals slightly open. Petals, flat, at 2-3 rows, about 17, imbricated irregularly, margins slightly recurved. Stamens petaloids, in group and crinkled, size varying, imbricated closely. Flowers, large, red, anemone form , medium in quantity, diameter 9.5-11cm wide. Blooming February to April, with full bloom in March.  Key points of identification: Leaf yellowish green, heavy texture but soft. Petals thicker and arranged compactly. In Camellia reticulata, there was also a cultivar called ‘Jiuxin Shibaban’ as a synonym of 'Shizitou'. 

周利主编、2011《川茶品种图鉴》 p. 122. 树势强健，树冠开张，呈圆头形，成枝力中等，枝较粗，节间较长；叶较稀疏，叶椭圆形或倒卵形，先端渐尖，基部楔形，叶面平展，叶色黄绿，叶质厚而柔，叶齿浅，叶长8.5cm~10cm，宽4cm~5.5cm;花萼较开张，平瓣2轮〜3轮，约17枚，排列不规则，花瓣边缘略反卷，雄蕊瓣化瓣成束，多曲皱，大小参差不齐，排列紧凑，花大红色，托桂型，花量中等，花径9.5cm~11cm，花期2月~4月，盛花期3月。 叶色黄绿，叶质厚而柔。花瓣厚实，排列紧凑。请注意，云南山茶有个品种也叫九心十八瓣，作为狮子头的异名，这是完全不同的2个品种，要注意区别。