Flowering Tree

[Tom]

Can anyone tell me what kind of tree this is? Gorgeous big heavy flowers.

 

[T33's Torts]

I have one in my yard too!
I can't remember what its called though, sorry.

 

[MikeCow1]

Leaves and flowers look like a Camellia to me

 

[guille24]

Looks like a camellia tree

 

[N2TORTS]

Yuppers ....Like folks mentioned it's a Camellia Plant. Tom ... I have an all "white" flowered one ...

 

[T33's Torts]

Re: RE: Flowering Tree

Yuppers ....Like folks mentioned it's a Camellia Plant. Tom ... I have an all "white" flowered one ...

One of mine is white with a pink center!

 

[Tom]

Thanks for the answers. Now for the next question: Does anyone feed it to their tortoises? I've found it on several websites of different genres, including ones that list toxicity for animals, and they all list it as non-toxic. Those flowers are so big and heavy, seems like it would make a good meal for a tortoise. How about the leaves?

 

[T33's Torts]

None of my Sulcatas or Russians will touch it.

 

[lynnedit]

Well, in case you haven't looked at this site. It appears to be only useful as an occasional or accidental food.

http://www.thetortoisetable.org.uk/site/plants_19.asp?st=true&mode=main&catID=395

 

[Tom]

Well now I want to throw some down and see if they will even eat it.

 

[T33's Torts]

Knock yourself out! Tell us the results!

 

[bouaboua]

Yes. Please........

I have few of those trees in my yard that produce beautiful flowers. Even is an occasional or accidental food, it will be great for a photo shoot.

 

[Tom]

I don't even have a tree close by. You two could try it out and let us know too, ya know?

 

[T33's Torts]

Hey! I already tried, remember? Only the adult sulcata (not the Russians or babies) will nibble at the flowers.

 

[Star-of-India]

One species of camellia, Camellia sinensis, is the source of tea. So they do have caffeine, or at least the tea camellia does. I don't know if caffeine is present in any of the typical species used for gardens. I'm not sure this even matters...