J Syst Evol ›› 1977, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (1): 53-58.

• Research Articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A Study on the Classification of the Tea Varieties

Chen Wen-Huai   

  1.  (Institute of Tea Chinense Academy of Agriculture)
  • Published:1977-05-18

Abstract: It is generally accepted that tea plant (Thea sinensis L.) is originated in China, where has numerous varieties, According to the literature, the selected work of tea plants may be traced as early as to the 3rd-5th century A.D. The number of varieties discovered in recent years reached more than 300. Besides, a large number of wild species were discovered. In all tea varieties, the crown canopy, leaf size and the date of sprouting were different. It was proposed that according to the crown canopy, leaf size and the date of sprouting. The principle of the classification of Chinese tea varieties may be 3 orders. The first order named “group”, it contains macrophanerophyte group, microphanerophyte group, and frutex group. The second order named “type”, it contains extreme large leaf size, large leaf size, medium leaf size and small leaf size. The third order named “species”, it contains the early-sprouting species, medium-sprouting species and late-sprouting species.