Yama-tsubaki

Iwasaki, 1829, Honzō Zufu. This grows in the mountains to a height of 20 feet. Leaves are thick, round and serrate. It flowers in winter. The flower has 5-6 crimson petals with a central cylindrical stamen column with white filaments. Origi­nated in Japan. Described as a synonym for ‘Chih-chu-cha’ (Zhizhu Cha) in Honzō Kōmoku Keimō. Synonym: ‘Yabu-tsubaki’ (Bush Camellia). See: JCS, 1981, Tsubaki, No.20, p.100; Tuyama, 1966, Camellia Cultivars of Japan, p.6.