Camellia drupifera

Camellia drupifera L. is an endemic indigenous oil-tea tree species in Guangdong Province, characterized by significant economic value and ecological functions.The red pericarp phenotype of the Camellia drupifera 'Hongguo' cultivar is attributed to the precise transcriptional regulation of anthocyanin and flavonoid biosynthetic pathways. Anthocyanins undergo compartmentalized accumulation and deposition within the cell walls of pericarp tissues, establishing a physico-chemical barrier. Concurrently, secondary metabolites enhance abiotic stress tolerance via ROS scavenging activity.The red phenotypic trait serves as a critical model system for investigating the interplay between flavonoid metabolism and stress resistance.