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'''''Camellia sinensis''''' is the species of plant whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce the popular beverage [[tea]].  

'''''Camellia sinensis''''' is the species of plant whose leaves and leaf buds are used to produce the popular beverage [[tea]].  

There are two major varieties used for tea, Chinese tea, ''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''sinensis'', and Assam tea, ''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''assamica''.  

There are two major varieties used for tea, Chinese tea, ''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''sinensis'', and Assam tea, ''Camellia sinensis'' var. ''assamica''.  

==Nomenclature and taxonomy==

==Nomenclature and taxonomy==

The name ''Camellia'' is taken from the Latinized name of Rev. Georg Joseph Kamelref, Society of Jesus (1661–1706), a Czech-born Jesuit lay brother, pharmacist, and missionary to the Philippines.  Carl Linnaeus chose his name in 1753 for the genus to honor Kamel's contributions to botany (although Kamel did not discover or name this plant, or any ''Camellia'' and Linnaeus did not consider this plant a ''Camellia'' but a ''Thea''. The name ''sinensis'' means ''from China'' in Latin.

The name ''Camellia'' is taken from the Latinized name of Rev. Georg Joseph Kamelref, Society of Jesus (1661–1706), a Czech-born Jesuit lay brother, pharmacist, and missionary to the Philippines.  Carl Linnaeus chose his name in 1753 for the genus to honor Kamel's contributions to botany (although Kamel did not discover or name this plant, or any ''Camellia'' and Linnaeus did not consider this plant a ''Camellia'' but a ''Thea''. The name ''sinensis'' means ''from China'' in Latin.

==Description==

==Description==

''Camellia sinensis'' is native to East, South and Southeast Asia, but it is today cultivated across the world in tropical and subtropical regions. It is an evergreen [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] that is usually trimmed to below {{convert|2|m|ft|abbr=on}} when cultivated for its leaves. It has a strong [[taproot]]. The flowers are yellow-white, {{convert|2.5|–|4|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter, with 7 to 8 petals.

''Camellia sinensis'' is native to East, South and Southeast Asia, but it is today cultivated across the world in tropical and subtropical regions. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is usually trimmed to below 2m when cultivated for its leaves. It has a strong taproot. The flowers are yellow-white, 2.5–4cm in diameter, with 7 to 8 petals.

The seeds of ''Camellia sinensis'' and ''[[Camellia oleifera]]'' can be pressed to yield [[tea oil]], a sweetish seasoning and cooking oil that should not be confused with [[tea tree oil]], an [[essential oil]] that is used for medical and cosmetic purposes, and originates from the leaves of a different plant.

The seeds of ''Camellia sinensis'' and ''Camellia oleifera'' can be pressed to yield [[tea oil]], a sweetish seasoning and cooking oil that should not be confused with tea tree oil, an essential oil that is used for medical and cosmetic purposes, and originates from the leaves of a different plant.

[[File:Camellia_sinensis_-_Köhler–s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-025.jpg|left|thumb|''Camellia sinensis'' plant, with cross-section of the flower (lower left) and seeds (lower right).]]

[[File:Camellia_sinensis_-_Köhler–s_Medizinal-Pflanzen-025.jpg|left|thumb|''Camellia sinensis'' plant, with cross-section of the flower (lower left) and seeds (lower right).]]

The leaves are {{convert|4|–|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|2|–|5|cm|in|abbr=on}} broad. Fresh leaves contain about 4% [[caffeine]].<ref>{{cite web| publisher = Purdue | url= http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Camellia_sinensis.html |title=Camellia sinensis |accessdate=18 February 2008}}</ref> The young, light green leaves are preferably harvested for tea production; they have short white hairs on the underside. Older leaves are deeper green. Different leaf ages produce differing tea qualities, since their chemical compositions are different. Usually, the tip (bud) and the first two to three leaves are harvested for processing. This hand picking is repeated every one to two weeks.

The leaves are 4–15cm long and 2–5cm broad. Fresh leaves contain about 4% [[caffeine]]. The young, light green leaves are preferably harvested for tea production; they have short white hairs on the underside. Older leaves are deeper green. Different leaf ages produce differing tea qualities, since their chemical compositions are different. Usually, the tip (bud) and the first two to three leaves are harvested for processing. This hand picking is repeated every one to two weeks.

==Cultivation==

==Cultivation==

''Camellia sinensis'' is mainly cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates, in areas with at least 127&nbsp;cm. (50&nbsp;inches) of rainfall a year. However, the clonal one is commercially cultivated from the equator to as far north as [[Cornwall]] on the UK mainland.<ref>{{Citation | publisher = Telegraph Online | date = 17 September 2005 | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/main.jhtml?xml=/gardening/2005/09/17/gtea17.xml | title = Gardening | contribution = Tea}}.</ref> Many high quality teas are grown at high elevations, up to 1500 meters (5,000&nbsp;ft), as the plants grow more slowly and acquire more flavour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://teahorse.co.uk/info/where-tea-grows/ |title=Where Tea Grows |publisher=teahorse.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-06-19}}</ref>

''Camellia sinensis'' is mainly cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates, in areas with at least 127&nbsp;cm. (50&nbsp;inches) of rainfall a year. However, the clonal one is commercially cultivated from the equator to as far north as Cornwall on the UK mainland. Many high quality teas are grown at high elevations, up to 1500 meters (5,000&nbsp;ft), as the plants grow more slowly and acquire more flavour.

Tea plants will grow into a tree if left undisturbed, but cultivated plants are pruned to waist height for ease of plucking. Two principal varieties are used, the small-leaved Chinese variety plant (''C. sinensis sinensis'') and the large-leaved Assamese plant (''C. sinensis assamica''), used mainly for black tea.

Tea plants will grow into a tree if left undisturbed, but cultivated plants are pruned to waist height for ease of plucking. Two principal varieties are used, the small-leaved Chinese variety plant (''C. sinensis sinensis'') and the large-leaved Assamese plant (''C. sinensis assamica''), used mainly for black tea.

However, tea may have some negative impacts on health, such as over-consumption of [[caffeine]], and the presence of flouride and oxalates in tea.

However, tea may have some negative impacts on health, such as over-consumption of [[caffeine]], and the presence of flouride and oxalates in tea.

==External links==

==External links==

* Plant Cultures: [http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/plants/tea_landing.html botany and history of the tea plant]

*Plant Cultures: [http://www.plantcultures.org.uk/plants/tea_landing.html botany and history of the tea plant]

* Antibacterial Activity of Green Tea Extracts against Streptococcus anginosus group [http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/10017425510/en/ CI.NII.AC.jp]

* [http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/42/2/211 Jac.OxfordJournals.org], The effect of a component of tea (Camellia sinensis) on methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus.

* [http://jac.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/42/2/211 Jac.OxfordJournals.org], The effect of a component of tea (Camellia sinensis) on methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus.

[[Category:Tea]]

[[Category:Tea]]