The ICS is a non-profit organization devoted to the genus Camellia, founded April 1962. Its yearly publication is the International Camellia Journal and as the official registrar for the genus Camellia, it maintains the International Camellia Register. An international congress is held every second year, and regional meetings are regularly arranged by the membership representatives. The ICS has more than 2,000 members worldwide.

The Empress of Winter

The genus Camellia comprises more than 250 species. Economically, the genus is important because of Camellia sinensis (Black and green tea).Horticulturally, the genus is important because of Camellia japonica, Camellia reticulata and Camellia sasanqua and an increasing number of interspecies hybrids.

Theaceae

The Theaceae are trees or shrubs comprising about 40 genera and 600 species. The leaves are alternate, simple, and estipulate. The flowers are actinomorphic and are bisexual or rarely unisexual. The perianth consists of distinct or basally connate segments differentiated into usually 5 imbricate sepals and 5 petals. The androecium consists of numerous stamens that are distinct or basally monadelphous, or in 5 fascicles that are opposite and adnate to the petals. The gynoecium consists of a single compound pistil of 3-5 carpels, an equal number of styles, style-branches, or stigmas, and a superior ovary with 3-5 locules containing 2-many axile ovules. The fruit is usually a loculicidal capsule.

Sponsored by the Camellia Grove Nursery U.K. Sponsored by the Camellia Grove Nursery U.K.