History

• The camellia's genus is named for George Kamel. He was a Jesuit missionary who studied the plants and flowers of Asia, especially in the Philippines. Though native to China, the Japanese and Chinese have been selectively breeding the flowers for thousands of years.
  
  

Significance

• Camellias are an important symbol in Korean culture. They have been used in weddings there since 1200 B.C., where they represent faithfulness and longevity. Camellia colors also have significance -- red indicates "worth," while white means "loveliness." It also is the official state flower of Alabama.
  
  

Types

• There are hundreds of cultivars of Camellia japonica, all with variations in flower color, form and size. More cultivars are added every year -- bred or developed as chance seedlings. The American Camellia Society registered 201 new Camellia japonica cultivars from 2000 to December 2010.
  
  

Relatives

• The lovely Camellia japonica is a cousin to the plant whose leaves are made into black, green or oolong tea -- Camellia sinensis.