The Massachusetts Medical Society Grounds

Stewartia pseudocamellia, Japanese Stewartia
The genus Stewartia, known as mountain camellias, contains about nine species of deciduous trees from eastern North America and eastern Asia.
Moist woodlands in the hills of Nepal, India, Sikkim, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and southwestern China are home to these trees. Stewartia prefer a semi-shaded habitat and a fertile acid soil, but will tolerate full-sun and an occasional drought.

Stewartia pseudocamellia is a slow-growing deciduous tree, attaining a height of 30 to 40 feet and a width of 25 to 30 feet. The camellia-like flowers emerge in summer much later than many other flowering trees. The white flowers are 2 to 3 inches across, with a tuft of yellow anthers. The leaves are thick like those of a Camellia, smooth, bright green with often a reddish tinge, turning gold and crimson in the autumn. The bark peels exposing contrasting colors.

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