Stewartia ovata

Stewartia ovata
File:Stuartia ovata.gif
Flower
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Ericales
Family:	Theaceae
Genus:	Stewartia
Species:	S. ovata
Binomial name
Stewartia ovata (Cav.) Weatherby 1939
File:Stuartia ovata Range.png
Range
Synonyms
Malachodendron ovatum Cav. 1787

Stewartia ovata, sometimes spelled Stuartia ovata, known commonly as mountain camellia, is a species of Stewartia native to low to mid-elevations in the southern Appalachian Mountains and nearby regions from Mississippi to Virginia. A relative of the evergreen Camellias of Asia, other common names include summer dogwood and mountain stewartia.

Although not endangered, the plant does have a limited range and is considered to be rare. Mountain camellia grows in the understory of predominately hardwood forests and tends to be found near streams, usually at elevations below 800 m (2,500 feet).

Description

Stewartia ovata is a deciduous flowering shrub or small tree growing to 5 meters (16 2/3 feet) tall, with smooth, flaking grayish-orange bark. The leaves are oval with an acute apex, 7–13 cm (2.8-5.2 inches) long and 3–6 cm (1.2-2.4 inches) broad, and turn orange, red, or gold when the tree becomes dormant in the fall. The flowers are camellia-like, 6–12 cm (2.4-4.8 inches) in diameter, with five white petals and numerous white, yellow or purple stamens; they appear in early to mid-summer.

Varieties

There are two varieties:

• Stewartia ovata var. ovata — flowers 6–8 cm diameter, stamens white to yellow.
• Stewartia ovata var. grandiflora (W.J.Bean) Weatherby — flowers up to 12 cm diameter, stamens purple.

See also

• Great Smoky Mountains
• Wildflowers of the Great Smoky Mountains
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park

References

• NatureServe profile: Stewartia ovata
• TreeTrail: Stewartia ovata—Mountain Camellia profile