Camellia petelotii
Camellia petelotii is a species of plant in the family Theaceae. It is found in China and Vietnam. It is known as the golden camellia for its distinctive yellow blossoms. Synonyms include C. chrysantha and Camellia nitidissima. The golden camellia originated 170 million years ago, and is a first-class nationally protected plant in China. The golden camellia is extremely demanding on the growth environment, its genes are extremely difficult to replicate, and, once transplanted, it is known to die or genetically mutate. It is also threatened by habitat loss. Therefore, in 1986, the Golden Camellia National Nature Reserve was built in Fangcheng, Guangxi, with a total area of 9195.1 hectares.
In southern China and Vietnam where the golden camellia originates, it has been used to make tea, and in addition has been propagated as a garden plant for its waxy yellow flowers, which are notably unusual for a member of the Camellia genus. The plant is endangered in the wild, but is widely favored in gardens.