The Middlemist’s Red Camellia is considered one of the rarest flowering plants on Earth. Its remarkable story involves near-extinction in its homeland and improbable survival in distant corners of the globe. With only two known specimens confirmed to be alive, the flower encapsulates a tale of botanical exploration, mysterious disappearance, and dedicated preservation efforts.
The Discovery and Naming by John Middlemist
The flower’s journey into Western consciousness began in the early 19th century during a period of intense global plant exploration. British nurseryman John Middlemist encountered the species while traveling in Guangzhou, China. In 1804, he successfully collected a specimen and transported it back to the United Kingdom.
Middlemist subsequently donated his prized specimen to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, though it later vanished from their collection. The flower became known as ‘Middlemist’s Red’ in his honor, a tribute to the man who first secured its presence outside of Asia.
This initial introduction established a lineage that would become the last hope for the species centuries later. The plant soon found a home in the collection of the sixth Duke of Devonshire at Chiswick House. This transfer of ownership in the early 19th century unknowingly secured the flower’s future survival.
The Vanishing Act in its Native Habitat
The most compelling aspect of the Middlemist’s Red Camellia is its complete disappearance from its place of origin. Shortly after the specimen was brought to England, the flower became extinct in its native Chinese habitat, likely by the 1820s. This made the introduced plants the only remnants of the species.
Several factors likely contributed to the flower’s decline in China. One hypothesis suggests that excessive collection by Western botanists and local enthusiasts may have depleted the wild population beyond recovery. The plant’s popularity as a luxury ornamental item led to a removal rate that outpaced its natural reproductive capacity.
Habitat destruction is another probable cause, with the encroachment of urbanization and agriculture eliminating the plant’s forest environment. Furthermore, some botanical historians speculate that Middlemist’s Red may have been a garden cultivar or a hybrid rather than a truly wild species. If it was a product of cultivation, its localized existence in gardens would have made it highly susceptible to being wiped out by changing practices or civil unrest.
The absence of the species from its homeland has turned the surviving plants into living historical artifacts. This botanical mystery highlights the fragile nature of plant populations and the irreversible impact of human activity.
The Worldwide Locations of the Two Surviving Plants
Today, the entire known population of the Middlemist’s Red Camellia is contained in just two geographical locations. One specimen is protected within the historic conservatory at Chiswick House in West London, United Kingdom. This plant is a direct descendant of the one originally introduced by John Middlemist and has thrived there for nearly two centuries.
The camellia at Chiswick House famously survived the London Blitz during World War II when a bomb struck the conservatory but failed to detonate. Although the glass was shattered, exposing the plant to the elements, it endured the harsh conditions of the wartime winter. It is now maintained under glass in a strictly controlled environment.
The second known plant resides on the other side of the world at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Northland, New Zealand. While the exact timeline of its arrival in New Zealand is not fully clear, it is believed to have been planted there around 1833. This distant second location provides a vital safeguard against any localized disaster that might threaten the London specimen.
These two plants serve as the species’ only anchor in the world, making them subjects of intense interest and conservation efforts. Scientists and horticulturists work to ensure the genetic survival of this unique cultivar, which represents a living link to a lost Chinese botanical heritage.
Botanical Characteristics and Misleading Name
The Middlemist’s Red Camellia is classified as a cultivar of the common camellia species, Camellia japonica. As an evergreen shrub, the plant typically reaches heights between six and ten feet, featuring thick, glossy, dark green foliage. The leaves are leathery and grow in an alternate pattern along the stems.
Despite the name, the flower is not a true crimson, but rather a deep, vivid rose-pink color. The blooms are large, measuring up to four inches in diameter, and feature numerous velvety petals that create a lush, rose-like appearance.
The flower blooms during the late winter to early spring, offering a striking burst of color. Like other camellias, this cultivar requires specific conditions to flourish, preferring partial shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil. The combination of its large, rose-pink flowers and its history has cemented its reputation as a unique botanical treasure.