It is one of the most beautiful trees that populate our gardens. They are one of the largest botanical love (if I may say so) of the Portuguese, since the time of discovery.
The camellias tree originated in southwestern Asia. Japan the same as our country has an ancestral worship for this plant, maybe a little larger than ours to be frank, because there are records of the existence of the flowers in decorative ornaments, in the tradition of ikebana and tea ceremony . A passion of Chinese origin, others great admirers of this plant since the Tang dynasty.
The introduction of camellias in Europe is still shrouded in some mystery, but it most certainly was brought by the Portuguese in the early days of commercial contact with Asia in the period of discoveries. What makes sense. After all, we were the first Westerners to arrive in Japan, so one of the botanical names for this specimen. Nippon trees.
The second name is a tribute to the Jesuit Georg Kamel, from the Swedish scientist Carl von Linné. The kappa disappears, because it is not part of the Latin script and appears the ce of camellia. It is curious in such a small territory, the same tree is termed differently. In the north of Portugal and islands is dubbed Nippon tree due to origin from the country of the rising sun, in the South is camellias. Funny, no? However, whatever its true origin of this plant, one thing that does not change, this beautifully profuse color tree is part of most gardens in Portugal. It is very decorative and has a gorgeous shade. Although, prefers acidic soils more productive in the North. Hence, we can admire several varieties of botanical specimen in a number of public green spaces and private gardens. Love is such that there is even an international festival of camellias in Celorico de Bastos. It is the ex-libris of this northern city which takes place in the month of March a perfect time to see them in bloom. So Nippon trees they are. I prefer it still sounds better in Portuguese, believe me.
http://www.eventoclick.pt/eventos-pt/empresariais/festa-das-camelias-um-evento-flores-r.html
