TheNaturePlanet

People are similar, and this is even more so for plants in nature. Especially for plants of the same genus, they are the most likely to be indistinguishable. Among them, Camellia sasanqua and Camellia japonica are always mistaken for the same plant. Their names are similar, and their leaf appearances are also similar, making it easy to be confused. So how can we quickly distinguish them in daily life? Let's take a look below.
Although Camellia sasanqua and Camellia japonica belong to the same family, they can be distinguished with careful observation. First, let's talk about Camellia sasanqua. It is an evergreen plant and will not go dormant or shed leaves even in the cold winter. Its flowering period is usually from November to March of the following year. In addition to being used for greening and ornamental purposes, its flower seeds can also be made into vegetable oil, and its flowers can be made into cosmetics to smooth and tender the skin and remove freckles.
Camellia japonica, on the other hand, is an evergreen ornamental flowering tree of the Camellia genus in the Theaceae family. Some flower lovers also call it Camellia or Punica granatum. Its flowering period is generally between January and April each year. Among them, some varieties of Camellia japonica can start flowering in summer, bloom profusely in autumn and winter, and continue to bloom in spring. At the same time, Camellia japonica contains antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, which have the effects of beautifying and nourishing the skin, astringing and cooling blood, and reducing swelling.
How to distinguish between Camellia sasanqua and Camellia japonica? Generally speaking, the leaves of Camellia japonica seen in the flower market are usually larger, while the branches and leaves of Camellia sasanqua are relatively smaller than those of Camellia japonica. Looking at the branches, the young branches of Camellia japonica are hairless, while the young branches of Camellia sasanqua are hairy. Another important difference between the two flowers is the flowering period. The flowering period of Camellia sasanqua is earlier than that of Camellia japonica. The flowering period of Camellia sasanqua is from November to March of the following year, while that of Camellia japonica is from January to March.
Then, the plant heights of Camellia sasanqua and Camellia japonica are different. Looking at the two plants of the same age, the height of Camellia japonica is much higher than that of Camellia sasanqua. If Camellia japonica is not pruned artificially, it can reach a maximum height of 2 meters, but no matter how it grows, Camellia sasanqua cannot reach this height. Finally, the growth environments of Camellia sasanqua and Camellia japonica are also different. The former prefers warm and humid conditions and is not strict with light requirements. It can grow well in a semi-shaded environment. Camellia japonica, on the other hand, likes sunlight and needs sufficient sunlight to ensure normal growth and flowering.