1.
camellia
An evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy leaves and showy flowers, blooming in late winter to early spring.
椿 refers to camellia flowers and trees.
Common expressions:
Counter: 本 (for trees/shrubs), 輪 (for flowers)
Cultural note:
Camellias bloom when little else does, making them significant in winter gardens. However, the way camellia flowers fall - dropping the entire bloom at once rather than petals - has led to associations with death and decapitation. For this reason, camellias are traditionally avoided as gifts for hospital patients or at funerals. 椿油 has been used in Japan for centuries as hair oil and is still popular today.