About Stewartia ovata (Cav.) Weath.
Stewartia ovata (Cav.) Weath. is a deciduous flowering shrub or small tree that reaches up to 5 meters (16 2/3 feet) in height, and has smooth, flaking grayish-orange bark. Its leaves are oval with a pointed tip, measuring 7–13 cm (2.8–5.1 in) long and 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 in) broad. In fall, when the plant enters dormancy, its leaves turn orange, red, or gold. The flowers are camellia-like, with a diameter of 6–12 cm (2.4–4.7 in). They have five white petals and numerous stamens that can be white, yellow, or purple, and bloom from early to mid-summer. There are two recognized varieties of Stewartia ovata. Stewartia ovata var. ovata has flowers 6–8 cm in diameter, with white to yellow stamens. Stewartia ovata var. grandiflora (W.J.Bean) Weatherby has flowers that reach up to 12 cm in diameter, with purple stamens.
