ABSTRACT
A large and important genus of evergreen shrubs and trees from east and Southeast Asia, found particularly in southern China. In the west, they are mostly grown for their ornamental value but one species, C. sinensis, has major economic importance for the production of tea. Camellia seed oil is produced on a large scale in China from a number of species including C. oleifera and C. chekiangoleosa. Most Camellias are propagated by cuttings, but a number prove difficult to root, and grafting is necessary. Taxonomy of Camellia is in a state of flux with authorities disagreeing on the basic number of species, from 90 to 400, and number and descriptions of sections within the genus, from 5 to 14. The majority of Camellias are grafted between January and early March, a period from August to early September is possible. Propagation by cuttings-grafts is carried out in the summer period. Apical wedge grafting is a popular method for Camellias.
