Camellia sinensis
Definition
The evergreen flowering plant whose leaves and buds are used to make tea. Two major varieties, var. sinensis and var. assamica, account for nearly all commercial tea production worldwide.
Why it matters
Camellia sinensis is a species in the Theaceae family, native to a region spanning southwest China, northern Myanmar, northeast India, and adjacent areas. All true teas (green, white, yellow, oolong, black, dark/pu-erh) come from this single species. Herbal infusions such as rooibos, chamomile, and yerba mate are not technically teas because they come from different plants. The species divides into two major botanical varieties. Var. sinensis is a small-leaved, cold-hardy form historically associated with Chinese and Japanese production. Var. assamica is a larger-leaved, tropical form associated with Assam, Yunnan, and other warm-climate growing regions. Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been developed from these two parental forms. Camellia sinensis can grow into a 15-meter tree when left wild, as it does in some Yunnan forests, but in cultivation it is generally pruned to waist-height bushes for ease of plucking. The plant prefers acidic, well-drained soils, regular rainfall, and cool nights, and is highly responsive to elevation and terroir.