Shiliu Cha

Li, Shizhen, 1590, Bencao Gangmu: The colour is fiery red and the central petals are like a freshly split pomegranate. Originated in China. Differ­ent reading: ‘Shih-liu-ch’a. Gao & Zhuang, 1989, The Camellia in China, p.52, No.336, colour photo No.194: Medium size, 7-8 cm across, fiery crimson, anemone form with 7-8 large, irregular guard petals, and a centre of erect petaloids, tipped with white, giving the appearance of seed in an open pomegranate. Leaves matt green, elliptic, apices acuminate. Mid-season flowering.

Shiliucha. (Camellia japonica)  Synonym: Camellia japonica 4Juban baozhu5  Originate: Sichuan Province  Characteristics: Plant habit vigorous, crown open and loose, with rapid growth in branches, shoots horizontal and slightly drooping, with long internodes. Leaves narrowly elliptical, glossy, apex acuminate, base obtuse, margins slightly recurved, measuring 7.5 cm to 9 cm across. Flower, pure red, typical anemone type. Petals flat and large, imbricated regularly in 1 - 2rows， about 5 -6 segments. Petaloids by most stamens, as tiny petals, white petal tip notched, arranged regularly and loose, central stamens are shorter than petaloids at outer rows. Flower dense, diameter 8 cm to 10 cm wide. Flowering January, to March, with full blooming in late February and early March.  Key points of identification: Typical anemone form. Petaloids by stamens imbricated regularly with white tip of tiny petals.

周利主编、2011《川茶品种图鉴》 p.158. 树势强健，树冠开张，松散，成枝力强，节间长，枝姿横向伸出，略下垂；叶长椭圆形，有光泽，叶缘略反卷，先端尾尖，基部模形。叶长7.5cm-9cm;是典型的托桂类。花大红色，大花瓣1轮-2轮，5枚-6枚，平展，花径8cm-10cm，多数雄蕊完全瓣化成小花瓣，瓣尖呈白色，具缺凹，排列整齐松散，花心部未完全瓣化的雄蕊比外轮雄蕊瓣化瓣短，花朵稠密，花期1月-3月，盛花期2月下旬至3月上旬。 典型的托桂型，雄蕊辦化瓣整齐，瓣尖呈白色。原始产地：四川