Fangcheng Golden Camellia

Fangcheng Golden Camellia

Fangcheng Golden Camellia is a geographical indication protected product.

　　   Growing in the Shiwandashan Mountain area of Fangcheng District and Shangsi County, it is especially abundant in Nashuo and Huashi of Fangcheng District. The autonomous region has established a Golden Camellia Nature Reserve on Shangqiu in Nashuo, covering an area of 14,000 mu. The Golden Camellia is the only golden variety among the world’s more than 100 types of camellias. When its presence was discovered in 1960, it shocked the global floral and tea communities. The Golden Camellia is a rare and precious flower, classified as a national first-class protected rare plant. In addition to its high ornamental value, it also has medicinal properties. Its leaves can be used to make tea, which is emerald green in color, sweet and fragrant in taste. It can also treat dysentery and be boiled in water to wash ulcerated sores. The flowers can cure bloody stools, and the seeds can be pressed for oil that is suitable for consumption or industrial use. Its wood is heavy and solid, making it ideal for fine woodwork such as carving, abacus beads, toys, and seals.

　　   The Queen of the Tea Family — Golden Camellia: The Golden Camellia grows in the Shiwandashan Mountain area of Fangcheng District and Shangsi County, especially abundant in Nashuo and Huashi of Fangcheng District. The autonomous region has established a Golden Camellia Nature Reserve on Shangqiu in Nashuo, covering an area of 14,000 mu. The Golden Camellia is the only golden variety among the world’s more than 100 types of camellias, belonging to the subtropical evergreen shrub or small tree species of the Camellia genus in the Theaceae family. Its bark is grayish-green, and its leaves are long elliptical with shallow serrated edges. It blooms from November to February each year, with a flowering period lasting up to four months. It heralds spring before the red plum and fades after the peach and plum blossoms. When in full bloom, the Golden Camellia features golden petals and jade-like stamens, flawless, brilliantly golden, pristine, glossy, immaculately clean, with a semi-transparent, waxy texture. Nestled among the green branches and leaves, it is exquisitely elegant. The fruits resemble small crabapples; unripe fruit shells are semi-transparent with a purplish-red hue, turning blackish-brown when dried.

　　    The Golden Camellia is a rare and precious flower, classified as a national first-class protected rare plant. In addition to its high ornamental value, it also has medicinal benefits. Its leaves can be used to make tea, which is emerald green, sweet and fragrant, and can also treat dysentery. It can be boiled in water to wash ulcerated sores, the flowers can cure bloody stools, and the seeds can be pressed for oil used for consumption or industrial purposes. Its wood is heavy and solid, making it ideal for fine woodwork such as carving, abacus beads, toys, and seals.

　　   Fangcheng District is located at the southern foot of the Shiwandashan Mountains and is home to China’s only national nature reserve for Golden Camellia, named after a plant. It houses the world’s most comprehensive and largest Golden Camellia Species Gene Bank Reserve (approved by the State Council in 1994, the reserve covers a total area of 9,195.1 hectares, including a core area of 729.4 hectares and a buffer zone of 4,139.5 hectares). It gathers 23 species and 5 varieties out of the 32 known species and 7 variants of Golden Camellia in nature. In 2002, the Golden Camellia was designated as the city flower of Fangchenggang City. In December 2009, Fangcheng District was named the “Hometown of Golden Camellia in China” by the China Economic Forest Association. In November 2011, the Golden Camellia was granted geographical indication protected product status.

　　   The Golden Camellia is hailed as the “Queen of the Tea Family” and the “Panda of the Plant Kingdom” due to its rarity and its precious golden-yellow blossoms, filling a gap in the Theaceae family for golden-hued flowers. Its waxy green leaves are crystal clear and smooth, with petals that are transparent, firm, shiny, and spotless. The flower buds are plump, shimmering with golden radiance. The densely layered petals are bright and vivid, set off against the emerald leaves and jade branches, graceful and charming. With golden petals and jade stamens, they are stunningly beautiful and pleasing to the eye, possessing unparalleled ornamental value.

　　   Golden Camellia leaves have been used in folk remedies for clearing heat and toxins, promoting diuresis and eliminating dampness, stopping dysentery, and controlling bleeding. The Compendium of Materia Medica contains certain records of its medicinal value. After decades of research, scientists have confirmed that Golden Camellia significantly reduces blood sugar and urine sugar levels and effectively alleviates the “three highs” symptoms of diabetes. While effectively lowering blood sugar and blood pressure, it can also reduce blood lipids, alleviate various discomforts caused by high blood pressure, lower cholesterol and B-lipoprotein levels in the serum, promote insulin secretion, enhance immunity, regulate blood flow, prevent arteriosclerosis, provide antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, clear heat and toxins, improve bowel movements and urination while removing dampness, enhance liver metabolism, and inhibit tumor growth and cancer.