camellia

American  

[kuh-meel-yuh, -mee-lee-uh] / kəˈmil jə, -ˈmi li ə /

noun

1. any of several shrubs of the genus Camellia, especially C. japonica, native to Asia, having glossy evergreen leaves and white, pink, red, or variegated roselike flowers.

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camellia British  

/ kəˈmiːlɪə /

noun

1. Also called: japonica.  any ornamental shrub of the Asian genus Camellia, esp C. japonica, having glossy evergreen leaves and showy roselike flowers, usually white, pink or red in colour: family Theaceae

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Etymology

Origin of camellia

1745–55; named after G. J. Camellus (1661–1706), Jesuit missionary, who brought it to Europe; see -ia

Example Sentences

Tea is produced from the leaves of Camellia sinensis and has been consumed worldwide for centuries.

From Science Daily • Jan. 28, 2026

Kyoto-based Camellia Tea Ceremony allows customers to purchase only one tin of matcha each as visitor numbers doubled over the last year, says director Atsuko Mori.

From BBC • Jul. 25, 2025

Matcha is a finely ground powder of green tea leaves, which come from the plant Camellia sinensis.

From Salon • Nov. 7, 2024

There are many different triggers for an asthma attack, says Camellia Hernandez, an allergy and immunology specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, who was not involved in the GeoHealth study.

From Scientific American • Oct. 20, 2023

"Camellia, my time is up. I bring no more value, other than to do beauty work until you're trusted to do so, and train you to replace me."

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton