Camellia Sinensis

Camellia sinensis is a shrub grown to produce the popular beverage tea. It was thought that black and green teas came from different plants. In fact, they come from the same species (black tea being fermented). It can grow up to 17 m high. Fresh leaves contain about 4% caffeine. Its leaves are bright green and shiny. The plant has proved to be hardy, surviving snow and winter temperatures of -8˚C. They are slow-growing and produce white flowers in the autumn.