Stewartia ovata

Stewartia ovata, known commonly as mountain camellia,[4] is a small tree native to low to mid-elevations in the southern Appalachian Mountains and nearby regions from Mississippi to Virginia. It is a member of the Theaceae, the tea family.

Stewartia ovata
Flower

Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Theaceae
Genus: Stewartia
Species:
S. ovata
Binomial name
Stewartia ovata
Range
Synonyms[3]
  • Malachodendron ovatum Cav. 1787

Although not endangered, the plant does have a limited range and is uncommon throughout its range. Mountain camellia grows in the understory of predominantly hardwood forests and tends to be found near streams, usually at elevations below 800 m (2,600 ft).

Description

Stewartia ovata is a deciduous flowering shrub or small tree growing to 5 meters (16 2/3 feet) tall, with smooth, flaking grayish-orange bark. The leaves are oval with an acute apex, 7–13 cm (2.8–5.1 in) long and 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 in) broad, and turn orange, red, or gold when the tree becomes dormant in the fall. The flowers are camellia-like, 6–12 cm (2.4–4.7 in) in diameter, with five white petals and numerous white, yellow or purple stamens; they appear in early to mid-summer.[5]

Varieties

There are two varieties:

  • Stewartia ovata var. ovata — flowers 6–8 cm diameter, stamens white to yellow.
  • Stewartia ovata var. grandiflora (W.J.Bean) Weatherby — flowers up to 12 cm diameter, stamens purple.

References
  1. Rivers, M.C. (2015). "Stewartia ovata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T62086365A62086373. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T62086365A62086373.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. "Stewartia ovata". NatureServe. Retrieved 2016-10-23.
  3. The Plant List, Stewartia ovata (Cav.) Weath.
  4. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Stewartia ovata". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  5. Flora of North America, Stewartia ovata (Cavanilles) Weatherby, 1939. Mountain camellia or stewartia
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