Plantation Crops (2+1)

China bush: small leaved china bush

• Camellia sinensis L. var sinensis ( Syn: Thea sinensis ) commonly known as china tea.
• It is indigenous to China and cultivated in India, Nepal etc.

Features:
1) It is hardy, multistemmed, slow growing shrub or a small tree (1-6 m height).
2) Branches : Young branches are rather stout, hairy(hairy) to glabrous and older branches are grey.
3) Leaves : Small i.e., 4 to 10 cm long, erect, shortly stalked, elliptic, leathery, dark glossy green above and light green below.
4) Economical life : The variety has a economical life of about 100 years. However, pruning and continuous plucking reduces the life span.
5) Winter hardy : It can with stand severe winters and hot droughts on northern India. Hence, it is grown at an altitude above, 1050 m. Eg. Darjeeling.
6) Quality : It is highly valued for its flavor