26 August 2023.
Santa Rosa County, Florida, United States
Locality: Weaver Creek Bayhead, Eglin Air Force Base. Common in scattered patches along both sides of Weaver Creek.
Coordinates: 30.5168, -86.9149
(Map it)
Elevation: 81m.
Georeference protocol: Lat/lon determined by GPS
Habitat: Wild Habitat
Environment description: Rich, loamy moist mesic slopes; mixed deciduous-evergreen woodlands. Elevation: 268 feet. Slope: 15%. Aspect: West.
Number of plants sampled: 10
Associated species: Asimina parviflora; Rhapidophyllum hystrix; Cliftonia monophylla; Cyrilla racemiflora; Lyonia lucida; Oxydendrum arboreum; Ostrya virginiana; Itea virginica; Magnolia grandiflora; Quercus hemisphaerica; Pieris phillyreifolia; Halesia carolina; Halesia diptera; Clethra alnifolia; Gelsemium sempervirens; Hamamelis virginiana; Hamamelis ovalis; Cartrema americana; Ilex coriacea; Ilex opaca; Magnolia ashei; Mitchella repens; Rhododendron viscosum Serrulatum Group (as Rhododendron serrulatum); Ilex glabra; Illicium floridanum.
Comment: Collectors' notes: Silky Camellia is a single to multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree 4-12 feet tall. Branches are widely spreading, horizontal, such that the leaves and twigs often appear to be in a single plane. Leaves, simple, alternate, ovate to elliptic with acute tips; 2-4” long and 1-2” wide. Fruit, fleshy sub-globose green capsules, borne axillary on the top of branches; becoming woody at maturity. Flowers, white, 5 petaled camellia-like, purple stamens with bluish anthers; very showy early Spring. Silky Camilla behaves as a gap species. Grows, flowers, and fruits best with morning (½ day) sun, but needs shade during hottest part of the day. Vegetative layering is a very common means of asexual reproduction. Quite a few plants have purple streaking in the petals. Uncommon to rare in its range, but common in scattered patches along both sides of Weaver Creek. Collected off of 10+ plants.
Collector(s):