Tea
The Tea (Camellia sinensis L.) belongs to the family Theaceae. This cultivated taxa is comprised of three main natural hybrids. They are:
(1) C. sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze or China type having biggest leaves
(2) C. assamica (Masters) or Assam type having smallest leaves
(3) C. assamica sub spp lasiocalyx (Planchon ex Watt.) or Cambod or Southern type having intermediate leaves
Tea is an evergreen, perennial, cross-pollinated plant and grows naturally as tall as 15 m. However, under cultivated conditions, the bush height of 60–100 cm is maintained for harvesting the tender leaves for even more than 100 years. Leaves are alternate, elliptic-oblong, 4-30 x 1.5-10 cm, (thinly) leathery, serrate, acuminate and young ones finely pubescent. The leaves of var. sinensis are rather leathery and stiff, dark green, 4-7 cm long, with a matte surface and indistinct marginal veins, while the leaves ofvar. assamica are softer, supple, lighter green, 15-20 cm long, often more pendant, with a glossy surface. The flowers are white in color and grow singly or in pairs at the axils. The fruits are green in color with 2–3 seeds.
