Camellia ptilophylla

C. ptilophylla - a.k.a. "Cocoa Tea" - has some distinct chemical differences from C. sinensis, so we are listing this as a separate species rather than a variety.  It grows as a small tree as opposed to a shrub and hails from Guangdong province.  It's leaves can be up to a whopping 7 inches long!  "White-hair tea" is a special, high-quality tea made from the shoots of C. ptilophylla, named for the pubescence (short, soft hair) covering most surfaces except for the top of the leaf.  These plants are open-pollinated seedlings.

Zones: 7b-9
Average mature leaf size: 6" x 2.5"
10 year size: 10'T x 8'W