Stewartia serrata

Sawtooth stewartia is in the tea or Theaceae family and is native to southern Japan. It grows up to 10 m tall, with horizontal branches.

• Leaves are alternate, simple, 5–8 cm long and 2.5–5 cm broad, elliptic to ovate shape, apex acute, base wedge-shaped, edges finely serrate, downy pubescence below on vein axils and midrib. Leaves turn a reddish or orange colour in the fall.
• Solitary flowers are cup-shaped, 5 cm in diameter, with creamy petals, flushed with red on the outer surfaces near the base; anthers are yellow; flowers bloom in early summer.
• Fruit is ovoid, 2 cm long, woody, beaked capsule with 4 or 5 angles, opening and staying on the tree over winter.
• Bark is reddish brown and mottled; shoots are tinted red and are slightly hairy when young.