Japanese Camellia

Look

Leaves

Alternate, leathery simple leaves, glossy dark green with toothed margins.

Flowers

One or two flowers open in the leaf axils or near the branch tips. The basic petal count is 6 to 7, and cultivars may have more.

Fruit

A round woody capsule divided into three chambers, each holding one or two large brown seeds.

Bark

Gray-brown, smooth bark; the one-year-old twigs are brown.

Where it grows

In Korea

Native (Korean Peninsula)

Native to

Native to China, Korea, and central and southern Japan.

Ecology

American horticultural sources say it attracts pollinators and gives birds shelter in winter.

Stories

• The Belt of Camellias Wrapped Around the Back of Seonunsa Temple

Famous Japanese Camellia trees in Korea

• Japanese Camellia of Chungnyeolsa Shrine, TongyeongProvincial Monument · about 400 years · Myeongjeong-dong, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
• Japanese Camellia of Oegan-ri, GeojeProvincial Monument · about 200 years · Geoje-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
• Evergreen Forest of Ssanggyesa Temple, JindoNatural Monument No. 107 · Uisin-myeon, Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Japanese Camellia Forest of Baengnyeonsa Temple, GangjinNatural Monument No. 151 · Doam-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Japanese Camellia Forest of Okryongsa Temple, GwangyangNatural Monument No. 489 · Okryong-myeon, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-do
• Japanese Camellia of Geumsajeong Pavilion, Songjuk-ri, NajuNatural Monument No. 515 · Wanggok-myeon, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do
• Japanese Camellia and Japanese Torreya Forest of Seodongsa Temple, HaenamProvincial Monument · Hoewon-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
• Japanese Camellia Northern Native Habitat of Daecheongdo Island, OngjinNatural Monument No. 66 · Daecheong-myeon, Ongjin-gun, Incheon
• Evergreen Forest of Mokdo Island, UljuNatural Monument No. 65 · Onsan-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan
• Camellia Forest of Maryang-ri, SeocheonNatural Monument No. 169 · Seo-myeon, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
• Japanese Camellia Forest of Seonunsa Temple, GochangNatural Monument No. 184 · Asan-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do
• Japanese Camellia Forest and Pitta Breeding Ground of Hakdong-ri, GeojeNatural Monument No. 233 · Dongbu-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
• Evergreen Forest of Yundol Island, GeojeProvincial Monument · Ilun-myeon, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
• Dongbaek Dongsan Camellia Grove, JejuProvincial Monument · Seonheul-ri, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
• Japanese Camellia Community of Sinheung, SeogwipoProvincial Monument · Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
• Camellia Community of WimiProvincial Monument · Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do

Sources

• NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
• 국립수목원 국가표준식물목록(자생식물)
• Camellia japonica — Flora of China, World Flora Online
• 산림청·국립수목원 (2012), 한국의 가로수 — 나무가 만드는 아름다운 길
• 한국농촌경제연구원 — 조경수 관측월보 2025년 12월(한국조경수협회 게시 원문)
• 한국민족문화대백과사전
• 국가유산청 국가유산포털 '고창 선운사 동백나무 숲' 기본 정보
• 국가유산청 국가유산 공개 API 상세(천연기념물 '고창 선운사 동백나무 숲', 지정 1967-02-17)
• 국가생물종지식정보시스템 식물도감 (동백나무)