茶花Camellia

山茶花，山茶科翠綠灌木或小喬木，原產於雲南、廣西、廣東一帶。樹皮光滑，葉呈倒卵形或闊圓形，其外型及花色繁多，因種類而有所不同，重瓣品種的花瓣層層輪疊無盡，象徵「圓輪具足」之意，因此又名「曼陀羅花」。耐寒，於冬末春初盛開。北宋詩人曾章齡曾詩讚喻山茶花之美景，道出了其盛放於春天的壯麗風姿，外型勻圓如榴，美不勝收。

English:

The camellia, an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Theaceae family, originates from the regions of Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guangdong. It features smooth bark and obovate or elliptical leaves, and with appearance and flower color varying across different species. The double-petaled varieties, with layers of petals spiraling endlessly, symbolizing "complete perfection," and are also known as the mandala flowers.

Hardy and cold-resistant, it blooms from late winter to early spring. The Northern Song poet Zeng Gong once composed verses describing the camellia's beauty, capturing its vibrant splendor as it flourishes in spring, its fiery, radiant form stunning in its brilliance.