Camellia japonica aka Camellia

Camellia japonica, also known as the common camellia or Japanese camellia, is a species of the flowering plant genus Camellia, belonging to the family Theaceae. It is one of the best-known species of the genus, with thousands of cultivars in cultivation, displaying various colors and forms of flowers. In the wild, it is found in mainland China, Taiwan, southern Korea, and southwestern Japan, growing in forests at altitudes of around 300-1,100 meters. The plant is a tree or shrub that can grow up to 11 meters tall, with alternately arranged leathery leaves that are dark green on top and paler on the underside. The specific epithet japonica was given by Carl Linnaeus in 1753, in honor of Engelbert Kaempfer, who described the plant while in Japan. The leaves of Camellia japonica contain anti-inflammatory terpenoids like lupeol and squalene. Camellia japonica is the official state flower of Alabama. If you want to grow Camellia japonica, it is a fun challenge as a houseplant that requires regular watering and well-draining soil. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be placed less than a foot away from a window. Repotting every time the plant doubles in size is recommended, and no added fertilizers are necessary.