Japanese Stewartia (Stewartia pseudocamellia)

The Japanese stewartia's leaves are dark green and oval-shaped and turn bright shades of red and orange in the fall. In July, the large, 5-petaled, white flowers with golden centers begin to bloom. The tree's bark is exfoliating and creates patterns of gray, brown and red-orange colors.

Family: Theaceae (Tea)

Characteristics: The 2-inch to 3.5-inch-long oval-shaped leaves have serrated margins and are dark green. In the fall, leaves turn orange and red. In July, the 5-petaled, white flowers with golden anthers begin to bloom. These flowers are followed by 5-valved, brown seed capsules that split when mature. Bark is red-orange and exfoliates, creating patterns of gray, brown, and red-orange. This tree is pyramidal in youth and becomes rounded with age. It grows 20-40 feet high and wide. The Japanese stewartia may be also grown in cultivation as a 12-foot-tall multi-stemmed shrub.

Foliage: Deciduous (leaves lost seasonally)

 Geographic Origin: Japan (non-native)

Cultivation Notes: Requires low maintenance. Does best in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist and well-drained soils.

Number on Campus: 7

Sources: Dirr, Morton Arboretum, Missouri Botanical Garden