Camellia oleifera
Oil-seed camellia | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Ericales |
Family: | Theaceae |
Genus: | Camellia |
Species: | C. oleifera
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Binomial name | |
Camellia oleifera |
Camellia oleifera, which originated in China, is notable as an important source of edible oil (known as
It is widely distributed in China and is cultivated extensively there. It is found in forests, thickets, banks of streams and foothills at elevations of 500 to 1,300 metres.[3]
This species looks much similar to Camellia sasanqua except the dark green, evergreen leaves are a bit larger, three to five inches long and two to three inches wide. Single, white, fragrant flowers are produced in mid to late fall, and this large shrub or small tree will reach a height of 20 feet with thin, upright, multiple trunks and branches. The crown forms a rounded or oval vase with lower branches removed.[4]
Uses
The seeds of Camellia oleifera can be pressed to yield tea seed oil, a sweetish seasoning and cooking oil. In tea seed oil, oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid comprises ~80% of the total fatty acid content - the oil is similar in composition to olive oil. After the tea seed oil is extracted, the seed itself still serves a purpose. The product of production, known as Camellia oil cake, is used as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.[5]
Tea oil is also known as "Tea Seed Oil" when sold as cooking oil in supermarkets throughout Australia, New Zealand and the United States.[6]
It can also be used in textile manufacture, in
See also
- Tea tree oil is derived from Melaleuca alternifolia - it is an essential oil used for medical and cosmetic purposes and is toxic when ingested.
- tea plant.
References
- . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ "The Huntington Botanical Gardens: The Camellia Garden". Archived from the original on 2014-02-24.
- ^ a b "Plants for a Future". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2015-01-16.
- .
- ISSN 1756-8919.
- doi:10.1021/jf052325a. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007 – via American Chemical Society.
- ^ Odate, T: "Japanese Woodworking Tools: Their Tradition, Spirit, and Use" page 174. Linden Publishing, Reprint edition 1998.
- ^ Nakahara, Y; Sato, H.; Nii, P.: "Complete Japanese Joinery: A Handbook of Japanese Tool Use and Woodworking for Joiners and Carpenters" pages 5, 15, 28. Hartley & Marks Publishers, 1998
External links
- Media related to Camellia oleifera at Wikimedia Commons
- Data related to Camellia oleifera at Wikispecies