Camellia polyodonta

Camellia polyodonta is an evergreen shrub in the tea family, Theaceae. Kew also records it as a tree. Its native range runs from southeast China to Vietnam. It grows in a subtropical climate. In China, it occurs in forests in western Guangdong, eastern and northeastern Guangxi, and southern Hunan. These forest sites lie at heights of 1,640–3,280 feet [500–1,000 metres].

Plants For A Future gives a grown height of about 15 feet [4.5 metres]. The plant keeps its leaves throughout the year. It flowers from April to June, and its seeds ripen in October. Each flower has both male and female organs. Bees pollinate the blooms. Flowers that receive their own pollen set few seeds. Those seeds also have a low chance of growing. This limits the value of self-pollination when raising plants from seed.

This species suits a woodland garden or a partly shaded edge. It prefers light shade but can also grow in full sun. A woodland soil suits it well. It also grows in warm, open sites with well-drained loam and added leaf mould. Sandy soils are suitable too. It needs moist soil, with drainage that lets excess water escape. It avoids lime and prefers a soil pH of 5–7. Its favoured climate has wet summers and cool, dry winters without much frost. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 7–10.

Seeds provide an oil used for cooking. The evidence supports this use of the oil, not eating whole seeds. Plants For A Future gives its food value two out of five. It lists no known medicinal uses or hazards. That lack of known hazards does not establish safety for pets. The same source does not flag the species as weedy.

Fresh, ripe seed can be sown in a greenhouse. Stored seed needs a warm-water soak for 24 hours. The seed coat near the micropyle can then be thinned by filing. Germination takes one to three months at about 73°F [23°C]. Young plants need light shade and a greenhouse for their first winter. They can go outside once taller than 0.5 feet [0.15 metres]. Protect them from winter cold during their first one to three years outdoors.