Possible Planting Areas for Golden Camellia - Camellia impressinervis in Vietnam

Camellia impressinervis is known as a golden camellia, naturally distributing in China and Vietnam. Leaves and flowers of golden camellias contain active ingredients such as polysaccharides, polyphenols, saponins, and flavonoids. It was found to be able to inhibit the transplanted cancer, lower blood lipid, lower cholesterol, and prevent atherosclerosis. Market price of dry flowers of golden camellias in Vietnam is high, up to 700 US$/kg. This work was to identify suitable planting areas for C. impressinervis in Vietnam. Natural conditions, where C. impressinervis naturally distributes, were used for mapping, including elevation above sea level, annual precipitation, and annual air temperature. Each condition was classified to four levels as “very suitable”, “suitable”, “less suitable”, and “not suitable” for planting. Three corresponding digital maps were used for mapping. The results indicated that 72,781 ha accounting for 32.3% total land area of the study site was classified as “very suitable” for planting C. impressinervis. The “suitable” areas accounted for 34.2% and the not suitable areas accounted for 33.5% total land area. There was no area belonging to “less suitable”. It is recommended that C. impressinervis should be planted in “very suitable” areas and may be extended some to “suitable” areas. However, it should be widely planted only after carefully studying on cultivar selection, seedling production, and planting and tending techniques with consultation by local authorities.