Franklinia alatamaha

The Franklin tree is a deciduous tree in the tea or Theaceae family, indigenous to Georgia State in southwestern United States. It grows to about 7.5 m in height has a rounded crown, but also can be a multi-stemmed shrub.

• Leaves are simple, alternate, obovate in shape, glossy dark green and up to 15 cm long. They turn a bright orange-red in the fall.
• Flowers are similar to single white camellia blossoms, being cup-shaped, 5-petaled and 7.5 cm in diameter, blooming in late summer to early fall; they have a cluster of yellow stamens in the center.
• Seed capsules are 5-valved (unlike 4-valved Stewartia species), beige or brown, close to circular, 1.4–1.5 cm long and 1.5–1.7 cm across, splitting above and below.
• Bark is striking, dark gray or red-brown, furrowed, smooth or striated.