CAMELLIA :

A symbol of perfect loveliness and beauty, this multipetaled relative of the tea plant was originally cultivated by the Chinese. The flower had a notable role in Verdi’s opera La Traviata, which he adapted from the play The lady of the Camellias. In the story, a courtesan named Violetta always wears a white camellia, except for the few days of the month when she is “not available” and dons a red camellia instead. The flower comes in white, cream, pinks and reds.