Camellia polyodonta

Camellia polyodonta

　　In Yunnan, this vast and vibrant garden of colors, the Camellia reticulata — a second-class nationally protected plant and ranked first among the “Eight Famous Flowers” of China — has long been a traditional emblematic blossom in the country. Its jade-like, glossy green leaves and its exquisitely diverse, radiant blossoms shimmer with an eye-catching beauty and possess high ornamental value. The Camellia reticulata is a unique camellia variety native to Yunnan, naturally distributed only in the mountainous areas of western Yunnan and the central Yunnan plateau, with “Tengchong being particularly abundant” (as noted in China’s Red Data Book of Plants). In Tengchong, the widely seen Camellia polyodonta is essentially the original wild population of the Camellia reticulata — nearly all cultivated varieties such as the prized ‘Hen Tian Gao’, ‘Zi Pao’, ‘Tong Zi Mian’, ‘Song Zi Lin’, ‘Die Chi’, and ‘Mu Dan’ can find their similar or corresponding wild ancestors among the natural or cultivated forests of Camellia polyodonta. As the homeland of the Camellia reticulata, the spring scenery across many rural areas in Tengchong is almost monopolized by Camellia polyodonta — just within the township of Yunhua alone, there vigorously grow tens of thousands of acres of dense, contiguous Camellia polyodonta forests, essentially forming a natural camellia garden. Having endured the wild mountains, wind, frost, and rain over the years, these trees develop deep roots, lush foliage, and sturdy trunks, and when they bloom, they display even more vigorous vitality and extraordinary character. Especially during the peak blooming period in late winter and early spring, thousands of trees burst into vivid reds and pinks, merging into an overwhelming floral sea that shimmers like rosy clouds, emanating a wild, simple, and strikingly innocent beauty. Historical records suggest that Camellia polyodonta has been planted in the courtyards of Tengchong homes for over a thousand years. Long-term artificial cultivation and natural crossbreeding have led to frequent natural variations, giving rise to a splendid and continuously diversifying family of Camellia polyodonta. The Yongchang Er Fang Ji (Record of Two Fragrant Plants of Yongchang), compiled during the Ming Dynasty, already documented that “there are thirty-six types of camellias and twenty types of azaleas, all produced in Yongchang.” According to surveys, there are now at least a hundred known natural types of Camellia polyodonta, and the number of cultivated varieties is also quite considerable — in the 1980s alone, local forestry and horticulture experts selected and bred over 80 distinctive new varieties from existing types. Representative cultivars include ‘Mudan Kui (C. Mudankui)’, ‘Xue Jiao (C. Xuejiao)’, ‘Hua Hun (C. Huahun)’, ‘Wu Jiao Xiu Qiu (C. Wujiaoxiuqiu)’, ‘Jin Huan (C. Jinhuan)’, ‘Qian Xue (C. Qianxue)’, ‘Yu Nu (C. Yunu)’, and ‘Chun Hui (C. Chunhui)’. In early 1991, authoritative experts including Feng Guomei, Honorary President of the China Camellia Society, and Chen Shaoyun, Senior Engineer and Secretary-General, identified 62 of these as new varieties of Camellia reticulata. This marked the largest single identification event of camellia varieties in China, greatly enriching the diversity of Camellia reticulata cultivars. The project won the Science and Technology Progress Award at the “Second China Camellia Exhibition”; meanwhile, ‘Xue Jiao’ and ‘Mudan Kui’ both received the Excellent Variety Award, becoming new-generation renowned camellia cultivars.

Tengchong Camellia polyodonta is a “beautiful family” full of vitality, diversity, and richness — serving as a natural gene bank for Camellia reticulata germplasm resources. As natural and artificial hybridization and mutations continue to occur and evolve, new types will emerge in increasing numbers. It is also worth mentioning that, as a uniquely Yunnan plant that serves both economic and ornamental purposes, Camellia polyodonta captivates not only with its fiery red blossoms but also with its fruits — dangling from branches like emerald bells. The oil extracted from its nuts, known as camellia oil, is fragrant and delicious, making it a premium natural tonic, and it can also be used as industrial oil. Thus, the Camellia polyodonta possesses both innate beauty and practical value. (Baoshan)