Camellia japonica is a species of the Theaceae family, which is popularly known as camellia. It is a shrub or small tree, native to the forests of southern Japan, with dense, dark and glossy foliage. Its leaves are elliptical, serrated, leathery and waxy, with very short petioles. Flowers are lonely or grouped in the axils of the leaves, without perfume. These flowers are large, with 6 or more petals with colors that range from white to red, and may include spots, hues and spots.