Camellia sinensis var. sinensis
Camellia sinensis sinensis
Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, commonly known as tea, is a perennial evergreen shrub celebrated globally for its diverse therapeutic properties. Rich in antioxidants like catechins, this botanical powerhouse supports cardiovascular health, enhances cognitive function, and provides metabolic benefits, serving as a cornerstone in traditional and modern herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Camellia sinensis var. sinensis
- 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. Within the order Ericales, it is classified under the family Theaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Camellia, specifically as the variety sinensis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ericales | WCVP |
| Family | Theaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Camellia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Camellia sinensis var. sinensis, is known by several common names depending on the language and region. In Chinese, it is referred to as 茶(原变种) across various linguistic standards, including zh, zh-cn, zh-tw, and zh-hans. In English, its common name is recorded as Camellia sinensis sinensis.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 茶(原变种) | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 茶(原变种) | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 茶(原变种) | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 茶(原变种) | Wikidata |
| en | Camellia sinensis sinensis | Wikidata |
| zh | 油茶 | Wikidata |
| zh | 茶 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans several distinct regions across the African continent and its surrounding islands. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is noted specifically within the borders of Guinea. Its range extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it can be found around the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Furthermore, the species is located in Northeast Tropical Africa within the country of Ethiopia. Finally, its distribution reaches the Western Indian Ocean, specifically encompassing the islands of Mauritius and Réunion.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Türkiye | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
Chemicals
Camellia sinensis var. sinensis has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include anthocyanins, carotenoids, chlorophylls, flavonoid.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anthocyanins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carotenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorophylls | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |