Camellia japonica var. japonica (common camellia, "Yabutsubaki")

Japanese name: ヤブツバキ （薮椿）
Scientific name: Camellia japonica var. japonica

[Overview]
An evergreen tree up to 15 m tall.
The leaves are simple and alternate, elliptic, 4–8 cm long.
They are thick, with a dark green, glossy upper surface.
The leaf margins have blunt serrations.
The flowers are usually borne singly (rarely in pairs) in the axil of the first scale leaf of the winter bud.
The flowers are 5–7 cm across, deep red to pale red, and usually have 5 petals.
Because the bases of the petals and the bases of the stamens are fused together, the flower falls off whole, as if slipping out.
There are many stamens, fused into a tube in the lower part, and a large amount of nectar collects at the bottom, so Japanese white-eyes, brown-eared bulbuls and other birds come to drink it.
The fruit is a spherical capsule 2–2.5 cm across, with a thick pericarp and large seeds inside.
The fruit splits open when ripe.

[Uses]
Camellia oil is obtained from the seeds, and the wood is used for crafts and similar items.
Children play with the hollowed-out seed shells, using them as whistles.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, cuttings or layering.
It is hardy and tolerates both heat and cold.
It grows from sun to shade, but it is better to avoid places that get afternoon sun or shade that is too dark.
Avoid the north wind in winter as well.
It prefers well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic soil.
Water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
For plants in the ground, once established, watering is not particularly necessary unless the soil becomes extremely dry.
Apply slow-release fertilizer in January–February as fertilizer in winter for plants in the ground, and in September and after flowering for potted plants.
If the soil has become too alkaline, it is good to apply a physiologically acidic fertilizer (such as ammonium sulfate).
Flower buds form from early summer to summer, so if pruning, do so as soon as possible after flowering.
Pests and diseases include sooty mold, tea tussock moths and scale insects.
In particular, tea tussock moths require caution, as even touching them can cause a skin rash.

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