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18.
CAMELLIA JAPONICA RUBRA PLENA.
D o uble R e d Camellia.
Camellia Japónica, ru b ra p lena. L o d d ig e s ’s B o ta n ic a l C a b in e t, t. 397.
T r a n s a c tio n s o f th e H o r t. Soc. V o l. 7.
Double R e d Camellia. C u r tis ’s M o n o g ra p h , p i. 3.
Camellia Ja pónica, fla re rubro pleno. B o ta n is t’s R e p o s ito ry , t. 199.
SOME confusion exists with regard to this Camellia, from its being
cultivated m many Collections under the name of the Old Red, and
Greville’s Red, both being considered distinct varieties; but, after ik v in g
carefully compared plants with those names, th a t were subjected to the
same k ind of treatment, we are satisfied there is no difference whatever
between them, th e ir flowers being precisely the same in every respect. It
IS o f a free and robust habit, and grows very erect. The flowers are but
sparingly produced before the plant gets old, and attains a considerable
size, which is the reason of its not being so much cultivated as many
other varieties.
The leaves are usually about four inches long, and two inches broad,
tapering to both ends, very sharp pointed, recurved, and undulated, with
numerous small sharp serratures. They are of a brownish green, when
young ; b u t when grown to their full size, are of a dark shining green.
The midrib is prominent, and moderately strong. The footstalk is half
an inch long, nearly round, and of a pale brownish green colour.
The flower buds are oval, somewhat pointed, generally o f a dull
green, and slightly clothed with pubescence, becoming brown before the
flowers open, like the buds of the Waratáh.
The flowers are about three, or three and a h a lf inches in diameter,
and open a t the same time as those o f the W a ra táh and Atro-rubens.
They are of a crimson red colour, and resemble the flowers o f a large
Double Hibiscus. The petals are numerous, of an irregular shape, comparatively
long, narrow, and pointed; all of them are veined. The ex