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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Stewartia malacodendron

Silky Camellia, Virginia Stewartia

Scientific Name:

Stewartia malacodendron

Genus:

Stewartia

Species Epithet:

malacodendron

Common Name:

Silky Camellia, Virginia Stewartia

Plant Type

Tree/Shrub

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Theaceae (Tea Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

6-12 ft., 12-36 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White

Light:

Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

May, June, September, October

Growing Area:

Sandhills, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Mesic forests, especially on beech-dominated bluffs or ‘upland islands’ in Coastal Plain swamps, steepheads, bayheads. Primarily Coastal Plain.
Rare to locally uncommon in the Coastal Plain; apparent no valid natural occurrences west of the Coastal Plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Important for Wildlife

Landscape Value:

Recommended and Available

State Rank:

S3: Vulnerable (*Key)

Global Rank:

G4 - Apparently Secure (*Key)

Notes:

Per Flora of North America " It is most easily distinguished from S. ovata by the petiole wings not enclosing the winter buds, much smaller bracts, different fruit shape, and lustrous seeds. "
Uncommon on coast, rare in mountains and piedmont

Bloom Close up

image

Skip Pudney

Silky Camellia habitat

Ev-Henwood Preserve in Brunswick Co. has a beautiful grove of Silky Camellias.

image

Esther Murphy, May 13, 2012, Ev-Henwood Preserve, Brunswick Co.

Leaves

image

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record

Flora of North America
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
 



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