Camellia japonica is in the family Theaceae. Commonly known as Japanese camellia, it is native to ea

Camellia japonica is in the family Theaceae. Commonly known as Japanese camellia, it is native to east Asia including China, and Japan. Japanese camellia is a medium sized shrub to tree that has a history of cultivation dating back almost 1000 years in ancient China. Today, there are thousands of Japanese camellia varieties with a range of flower colors from white to deep red, as well as varieties with increased numbers of petals. There are many camellia gardens around the world showcasing new and heirloom cultivars, and there are numerous camellia enthusiasts that are constantly breeding new varieties.