THE CLASSIFICATION AND GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION OF GOLDEN GAMELLIAS

1. An attempt has been made in the present paper to discourse upon the classification and geographic distribution of Golden Camellias. Up to present, Golden Camellias (Camellia Sect. Chrysantha Chang) have 13 species and 1 variety known from China and Viet Nam. The account of each species mostly contains in addition to its description, Chinese name and scientific name, citation, flowering times, habitats localities, etc.2. The basic characteristics of geographic distribution of Golden Camellias are high concentration and overlapping. Based upon recent statistics, there are 7 species and one variety in Longzhou Xian, Guangxi, about 57.14% of the total species of Golden Camellias; Fangchang Xian has 3 species. Other species mostly distribute in the neighbouring regions of the two counties as well.3. Different habitat of distribution may be divided into limestone hills and hills or mountains with acid soil.4. Golded Camellias distribute between 20°52′-23°30′N and 105°16′-108°40′ E. Their vertical distribution is at the elevation of 50-550 meters.5. The modern distribution center of Golden Camellias is a narrow belt in the southwestern part of the Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region, China.