Stewartia ovata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stewartia ovata |
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Stewartia
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ovata
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The Stewartia ovata, often called the mountain camellia, is a beautiful small tree. It grows naturally in the southern Appalachian Mountains. You can find it in areas from Mississippi all the way to Virginia. This tree belongs to the Theaceae family, which is also known as the tea family.
Even though it's not in danger of disappearing, the mountain camellia doesn't grow in many places. It's quite rare to find it in the wild. This tree likes to grow in forests where there are mostly hardwood trees. It often grows near streams, usually in places that are not too high up, below 800 meters (about 2,500 feet).
What the Mountain Camellia Looks Like
The Stewartia ovata is a deciduous plant. This means it loses its leaves every fall. It can be a shrub or a small tree, growing up to 5 meters (about 16 and a half feet) tall. Its bark is smooth and grayish-orange, and it tends to flake off.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the mountain camellia are oval-shaped. They have a pointed tip and are about 7–13 cm (2.8-5.2 inches) long. They are also about 3–6 cm (1.2-2.4 inches) wide. In the fall, when the tree gets ready for winter, its leaves change to bright orange, red, or gold colors.
The flowers look a lot like camellias. They are quite large, about 6–12 cm (2.4-4.8 inches) across. Each flower has five white petals. Inside, there are many stamens, which are the parts that hold pollen. These stamens can be white, yellow, or even purple. The flowers usually appear in early to mid-summer.
Different Kinds of Mountain Camellia
There are two main types, or varieties, of the Stewartia ovata:
- Stewartia ovata var. ovata — This type has flowers that are 6–8 cm (2.4-3.2 inches) wide. Its stamens are usually white to yellow.
- Stewartia ovata var. grandiflora (W.J.Bean) Weatherby — This type has larger flowers, up to 12 cm (4.8 inches) wide. Its stamens are a pretty purple color.
