Camellia japonica Traditional Cache

A small cache placed close to a street with a similar street - possibly named after this very pretty shrub.

*Owners know about the cache, but please do not park in the driveways - see waypoints for parking across the street.*

*FTF was scubie999 - well done & thank you!*

Camellia japonica (the Japanese camellia) is one of the best known species of the genus Camellia. Sometimes called the Rose of winter, it belongs to the Theaceae family. It is the official state flower of Alabama. There are thousands of cultivars of C. japonica in cultivation, with many different colors and forms of flowers.

In the wild, Camellia japonica is found in mainland China (Shandong, east Zhejiang), Taiwan, southern Korea and southern Japan. It grows in forests, at altitudes of around 300–1,100 metres (980-3,610 ft).

There are more than ninety recog­nised species of camellia, all of which originated in eastern Asia. Camellia japonica is the species which introduced the camellia to the western world in the 18th century. The plant became popular during Victorian times, spreading throughout Europe, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Camellia japonica is thought to have originated in Japan, but the first varieties to be seen in other countries were imported from China.

BYOP. Container is big enough for small SWAG. Please don't leave edibles/gooey things/gun toys. Please check that lid is properly screwed on.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camellia_japonica and http://gardeningisezee.com/?p=215