Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Camellia
Ca-mel′li-a
,Noun.
[NL., after
Georg Josef
, or Kamel
Camelli
, a Jesuit who is said to have brought it from the East.] 1.
(Bot.)
An Asiatic genus of small shrubs, often with shining leaves and showy flowers.
Camellia Japonica
is much cultivated for ornament, and Camellia Sassanqua
and Camellia oleifera
are grown in China for the oil which is pressed from their seeds. The tea plant is now referred to this genus under the name of Camellia Thea
.