Camelia sinensis
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| Species | Camelia sinensis |
|---|---|
| Category | evergreen shrub |
| Growing area | subtropical |
| Range | East and southeast asia |
| Taxonomy | Angiosperms;Eudicots;Asterids;Ericales;Theaceae |
Uses
Primary
- Key source of caffeine
Hazards
Cultivation
Prefer at least 1270mm of rainfall a year. Tea plants prefer a rich and moist growing location in full to part sun, and can be grown in hardiness zones 7 – 9 (yearly lows temp -17°C). However, the clonal one is commercially cultivated from the equator to as far north as Cornwall and Scotland on the UK mainland. Many high quality teas are grown at high elevations, up to 1,500 meters, as the plants grow more slowly and acquire more flavour.
Harvest
Fresh leaves contain 4% wet weight caffeine.