Stewartia sinensis

Chinese stewartia is in the tea or Theaceae family and is native to central and eastern China. It is a small deciduous tree or large shrub growing to 9 m tall.

• Leaves are 4–12 cm long and 2.5–5 cm broad, arranged alternately on the stems with an elliptical shape and finely serrated edges. Leaves turn a reddish colour in the fall.
• Flowers bloom in mid-summer through to fall and are up to 8 cm wide, 5 petals with orange anthers, resembling related camellias which are round, flat and cupped.
• Fruit is a brown triangular capsule with 4 or 5 angles, opening and staying on the tree over winter. Bark is smooth and exfoliating with age.
• Young twigs are zigzag with divergent buds.