Warabe-tsubaki

Kuriya, 1969, Chūbu Camellia Society Journal, No.2: An ancient and sacred relic in the Kongōji, Yamaga, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. The camellia has never flowered, the buds always wither and fall, leading to the fable that the priest who originally cared for the original tree in the 15th Century, would return when the tree flowered. Leaves elliptic, apex acuminate, base cuneate, 7.1-7.2 cm long x 2.2-3.2 cm wide; margins serrated with 24-26 serrations, rather leathery, thick, glossy, deep yellow-green, slightly pinkish upper surface, pale yellow green lower, somewhat undulate. Buds profusely, up to 4 per stem. Originated in Japan.