In a popular French novel La Dame aux Camelias ("The Lady with the Camellias"), a beautiful but frail lady is always carrying a bouquet of camellia flowers, earning her the name.

The flowers often appear in literature works around the world.

Camellia which has numerous species, was cultivated in the gardens of China and Japan for centuries before they were seen in Europe.

Camellia flowers are distinguished by their exquisite blooms. Because they bloom for weeks through autumn to spring, even in winter when other flowers wither, they have been deemed as the queen of winter flowers.

They can be white, red, pink, yellow or various combinations.

The shade-loving shrub is widely distributed in southern China, where the weather is mild and air humid, especially in Yunnan Province in the southwest which has a variety of colorful flowers. But even here, camellias stand out as the provincial flower.

Yunnan has a history of over 1,000 years in camellia flower cultivation, featuring unique colors.

China's Flora Tour

From the wetlands along the coast to the dense rainforests hidden in the southwest of China, all boast an array of plant species. In this series, we will go on a tour to learn about some of the most representative flora in different provinces and see how they live in harmony with the local geography and climate.

Read more:

China's Flora Tour: Narcissus – a flower full of myths

China's Flora Tour: Flower offers more than just beauty

China's Flora Tour: Don't judge a flower by its look

China's Flora Tour: An 'early spring' hidden in the summer of Shangri-La

(Cover photo via VCG, designed by CGTN's Qu Bo. )

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com)