"The tiny camellia alone lasts long with durability, amid the green clumps forth burst afresh several rubicund sprays," reads a Chinese poem. The verse is an apt description of the camellia.
Camellia is native to China and prefers warm, moist environments. It is mainly grown in Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Chongqing and Shandong in China, and is widely cultivated throughout the country.
Camellia in bloom. /VCG
Camellia trees are taller, with pink flowers, and are a great ornamental plant because of their long-lasting flowering period. The seeds of camellia can be extracted as edible oil, and the flowers, leaves and roots can be used as medicine. Camellia is also known as the victory flower, which is adapt to the harsh environment and can bloom for a long time in the winter.
Camellia fruit. /VCG
In Xinyang City, Henan Province, Hu Zuocheng had some debts, and then with the help of the government, he began to plant camellia trees. Today, he not only grows camellia oleifera, but also high-mountain tea. His family has not only paid off their debts, but has also became the representative of local camellia cultivation.
China in Bloom
Flowering is not just about plants. It's also about how people approach their lives. Today, it has become a popular outdoor activity across China. In some places, watching flowers has been turned into a tourist hotspot and thus an economic drive. As the Two Sessions, the most important political event in a year, is currently underway, CGTN Nature presents a new series China in Bloom to showcase the beauty of the country in spring by introducing some of the most popular flowers in the country as well as the stories of how flowers contribute to people's lives.
(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com)