Camellia hongkongensis is a small evergreen tree which can grow to 10 metres (33 ft) feet tall.

[2] In Hong Kong, three individuals of the species were first discovered in a ravine in Victoria Peak by Colonel Eyre in 1849.

[2] Specimens of the Hong Kong camellia are living in the Shing Mun Arboretum public gardens.

[3] In Hong Kong, it is a protected species under Forestry Regulations Cap.

Camellia hongkongensis was introduced to Japan in 1958 from Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.