Camellia japonica
Camellia japonica, commonly known as the Japanese Camellia, is a stunning evergreen shrub celebrated for its exquisite, rose-like blooms. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this medicinal plant is valued in traditional practices for its antioxidant-rich oils and skin-soothing properties, offering a harmonious blend of aesthetic elegance and therapeutic potential.
- Scientific name: Camellia japonica
- Family: Theaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Ericales and the family Theaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Camellia, specifically as the species Camellia japonica.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Theaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Camellia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical range spanning across several key regions of East and West-Central Africa and Asia. In East Asia, it is naturally distributed throughout Japan. Its presence in China is extensive, covering the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast regions. Furthermore, the species can be found in West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically around the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse environmental niches inhabited by Camellia japonica.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
Chemicals
Camellia japonica has 22 reported phytochemicals identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include fatty acids, tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, triterpenes.
- Total chemicals
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 30
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fatty acids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Camelliatannin H | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ellagitannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| camelliatannin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| camelliatannin F | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Camellia japonica has 5 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Antiviral, Hemostatic.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hemostatic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Camellia japonica has 15 reported medicinal uses identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant, Gout, Reflux esophagitis, antioxidative stress, antiviral.
- Total uses
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gout | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Reflux esophagitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bleeding | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dental diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| erythema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gout | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |