(Kunlong Black), (C.japonica), Minagawa, Chinkashû, 1925, according to Ishikawa, 1966,

American Camellia Yearbook, p.74 as ‘Konron-Koku’. Ishii, 1932, Genshoku Shokubutsu

Zufu; Minagawa, 1933, Chinkashû; Tuyama, 1968, Camellias of Japan, pl.276, p.139,

description, p.174: Leaves narrowly ovate-elliptic, long acuminate apex, margins remotely

crenate. Flowers rose form double to peony form, 9-10 cm across, dark red. (Cardinal Red

822) Petals round, incurved, 11-25, slightly emarginate. Opens with a large bud centre which,

when fully mature, opens into a loose ball-shaped centre with a few short stamens. Flowers

mid-season to late. This variety has been known interchangeably as Konronkoku and

‘Konronkuro’ which are different readings of the same characters. However as the first

transliteration published was Konronkoku in Chûgai Nursery Co. Catalogue, 1935-1936,

p.25, this has been accepted as the prior valid name. There is also a C.sasanqua of the same

name. Corruptions of the Japanese name include: ‘Kouronguro’, ‘Konrun Koku’,

‘Kuron-juro’, ‘Kuron Jura’, ‘Konron Joura’, ‘Koron Juro’, ‘Kouron-Jura’, ‘Kurun Jura’,

‘Kunrun Jura’. Synonyms: ‘Black Prince’, ‘Nigra’, ‘Black Boy’. See colour photos: Tuyama,

1966, Camellia Cultivars of Japan, pl.135; Encyclopedia of Camellias in Colour, vol.I, 1972,

pl.390; Satô, 1975, Chûbu no Tsubaki, p.88, as ‘Konronkuro’; Shufu no Tomosha, 1976,

Tsubaki to Sazanka, p.32; Seibundô Shinkôsha, 1979, Senchinshû, p.59. Yokoyama & Kirino,

1989, Nihon no Chinka, p.395. Sport: Fuiri-konronkoku. Resembles: Kokuryû. Received an

“Award of Merit” from the RHS, 1960 as Konronkoku. Originated in the Kantô area, Japan.

Konronkuro. Different reading of Konronkoku.

Konrun-Koku. Torsanlorenzo Catalogue, 1984-1985. Corruption of the Japanese name Konronkoku.

FOGLIA:  medio grande, tondeggiante, convessa, dentata. Fioritura in medio mperiodo.

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