Camellia sinensis is a long-lived evergreen shrub or small tree belonging to the family Theaceae and is native to East, South, and Southeast Asia, where it has been cultivated for several millennia as the source of all true teas. In cultivation it is usually maintained as a compact, multi-stemmed bush about 3 to 6.5 feet tall through regular pruning, although in its natural state it can grow into a small tree exceeding 33 feet in height, with a dense crown and smooth grayish bark. The leaves are alternate, leathery, glossy dark green, elliptic to lanceolate in shape, and finely serrated along the margins, with young leaves often covered in fine hairs, a feature especially noticeable in certain varieties prized for white and high-quality green teas. Fragrant white flowers with five to seven petals and conspicuous golden-yellow stamens appear singly or in small clusters in the leaf axils, typically in autumn, followed by small, hard, three-lobed capsules containing round seeds. Camellia sinensis thrives in warm, humid climates with annual rainfall well distributed throughout the year, prefers acidic, well-drained soils rich in organic matter, and performs best in regions with mild temperatures and partial shade, particularly at lower elevations.