Dr George Orel receives the E G Waterhouse Award

St George and Sutherland Camellia Society nominates Dr George Orel (Theaeace Exploration Associates – TEA) as a recipient in 2014 for the E. G. Waterhouse Award. The Society considers Dr Orel to be an outstanding candidate for such an award given his exceptional service in Australia and overseas in regard to knowledge of the genus Camellia in scientific and botanical fields, particularly in taxonomic and evolutionary research, and for field exploration and discovery of new camellia species in southern Vietnam.

Dr Orel’s contribution to scientific and botanical research into genus Camellia is marked by a body of scientific (mostly peer-reviewed) literature, comprising 47 papers between 2003-14 either as contributing or sole author (see APPENDIX A). A particular focus of his work has been investigation of the evolutionary genetics of Camellia and Theaceae more broadly, through examination of Camellia species endemic to South East Asia and Vietnam in particular. From an international perspective, his work is unique in that it provides a rigorous yet informative approach to the evolution of Camellia and Theaceae revealed through understanding of the hitherto un-researched and/or recently discovered flora of Vietnam, as distinct from that of China and Japan.

Dr Orel’s taxonomic research is underpinned through botanical expeditions and field trips (together with Tony Curry, fellow associate of TEA) (see APPENDIX B). Discoveries on these trips have been of major global significance to Camellia botanical research, with significant highlights including:

• Rediscovery of piquetiana after its disappearance for over a century;
• Comparative taxonomy and genetics of amplexicaulis;
• Discovery and naming of a range of new Camellia species from Vietnam, including dongnaiensis, C. luteocerata, C. cherryana, C. oconoriana and C. inusitata.

Finally, Dr Orel has been persistently active in communicating the findings of his research, and of his field discoveries, to both to Camellias Australia and perhaps more importantly to the International Camellia Society. With respect to the latter, he has delivered key research papers at almost every recent ICS biennial Congress or scientific symposium. His presence at these fora reminds others active in Camellia research that Australia also makes a contribution to global botanical research in this area.

 Dr Stephen Utick, on behalf of St George and Sutherland Camellia Society
31 May 2015

APPENDIX A: Body of Scientific Literature by George Orel (2003-14)

Orel, G., Marchant, A. D. and Richards, G. D. (2003). Molecular genetic investigation into evolutionary relationships of yellow-flowered Camellia species from South-East Asia. Collected Papers, International Camellia Congress 2003, March 6-March 9, Jinhua City,P. R. China.

Orel, G., Marchant, A. D. and Richards, G. D. (2003). Evolutionary relationships of yellow-flowered Camellia species from South-East Asia. International Camellia Journal 2003,No. 35: 88-96.

Richards, G. D., Orel, G., Harland, C. M. and Jones, S.(2003).The rediscovery of Camellia piquetiana, a short communication. International Camellia Journal 2003, No. 35: 54-56.

Richards, G. D., Orel, G., Harland, C. M. and Jones, S. (2003). The elusive Camellia piquetiana, International Dendrology Society Yearbook 2002. Dendrology Charitable Company, Wellington Somerset.

Orel, G. (2004). Camellia piquetiana. The Journal of the Australian Camellia Research Society,No 164 Autumn: 2 and 12.

Orel, G., Marchant, A. D., Gao Jiyin (2005). An investigation into intergeneric and interspecific relationships in Theaceae using cpDNA sequences and ISSR genetic markers. Collected Papers, 2^ndInternational Symposium on Camellia nitidissima, March 1-March 7, Guilin, P. R. China.

Orel,G. (2005). Camellia azalea (C.F.Wei), the neglected species. The Journal of the Australian Camellia Research Society, 168: 6-8.

Orel, G. (2006). An Investigation into Intergeneric and Interspecies Relationships of Theaceae. The Journal of the Australian Camellia Research Society, 172 (2): 9-12.

Orel, G. (2006). New species of Camellia, Section Piquetia (Theaceae) from Vietnam. Novon, No. 16(2): 244-247.

Orel, G. (2006). Camellia dongnaiensis species novo. Camellia News, The Journal of Camellia Australia, Camellia Research Society, 171: 9-10.

Orel, G., Marchant, A. D. (2006). Investigation into the evolutionary origins of Theaceae and genus Camellia. The Proceedings of the International Camellia Congress Melbourne, 13^th – 20^th August 2006, Australia.

 

Orel, G. (2006). Camellia dongnaiensis: A new species of Camellia section Piquetia (Theaceae) from Viet Nam. (Excerpt from Novon). International Camellia Journal 2006, No. 38: 93-94.

Orel, G. (2006). Notes on Camellia dongnaiensis– a new species from Vietnam.International Camellia Journal 2006, No. 38: 90-93.

Orel, G., Marchant, A. D. (2006). Investigation into the evolutionary origins of Theaceae and genus Camellia. (Adapted from Melbourne Congress lecture) International Camellia Journal 2006, No. 38: 78-90.

Orel, G., Marchant,A. D. (2007). Investigation into the evolutionary origins of genus Camellia. Proceedings of the Second National Symposium on Yellow Camellias of Viet Nam. Tam Dao, Viet Nam 25 January 2007.Viet Nam National University, Hanoi and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hanoi, Viet Nam.

Orel, G. (2007). Notes on C. cucphuongensis Tran et Rosmann, Camellia vidalii J.C. Rosmann, and C. murauchii Tran et Hakoda. Camellia News, The Journal of Camellia Australia, 174: 7-8.

Orel, G., Marchant, A.D., Curry, A.S. (2007).Molecular investigation and assessment of Camellia azalea C. F. Wei 1986 (syn. C. changii Ye 1985) as potential breeding material. International Camellia Journal 2007, No. 39: 64-75.

Jullien, F., Jiyin Gao, Orel, G., Legendre, L. (2008). Analysis of tissue-specific emission of volatiles by the flowers of six Camellia species. Flavour and Fragrance Journal 23: 115-120.

Orel, G. (2008). The 2007 Viet Nam Camellia trip. Camellia News. The Journal of Camellias Australia, No. 177: 7-8.

Orel, G., Marchant, A.D., Curry, A.S. (2009). The re-assessment of the taxonomic status of Camellia azalea C.F. Wei (syn. C.changii Ye) utilising latest morphological and molecular data.International Camellia Journal 2009, No. 41:31-49.

Orel, G., Marchant, A.D., Curry, A.S. (2010). Camellia amplexicaulis (Pitard) Coh.  St. (Theaceae): Molecular and morphological comparison of selected samples from Viet Nam, China and the USA. Congress Papers, The Proceedings of the International Camellia Congress, Kurume, 20^th –24^th March 2010, Japan.

Orel, G., Wilson, P. (2010). A new species of Camellia Sect. Stereocarpus (Theaceae) from Vietnam. Novon 20: 198-202.

 

Orel, G., Wilson, P. (2010). Camellia luteocerata sp. nov. and a new section of Camellia (Dalatia) from Vietnam. Nordic Journal of Botany 28: 280-284.

Orel, G. (2010). Notes on the 2010 Camellia collecting expedition, Da Lat, Viet Nam. Camellia News. The Journal of Camellias Australia, No 183: 20-23.

Orel, G., Marchant, A.D., Curry, A.S. (2010). Camellia amplexicaulis (Pitard) Coh.  St. (Theaceae): Molecular and morphological comparison of selected samples from Viet Nam, China and the USA. International Camellia Journal 2010, No. 42: 89-94.

Orel, G., Wilson, P. (2010). Camellia luteocerata sp. nov. and a new section of Camellia (Dalatia) from Vietnam. International Camellia Journal 2010, No. 42: 131-136.

Orel, G., Wilson, P. (2010). A new species of Camellia Sect. Stereocarpus (Theaceae) from Vietnam. International Camellia Journal 2010, No. 42: 137-141.

Orel, G. (2011). A brief communication on the dangers of publishing new taxa under the new ICBN rules. International Camellia Journal 2011, No. 43: 12-13.

Orel, G. (2011).Project Camellia: Conservation and preservation of rare and endangered Camellia species in the sub-tropical rainforests of Viet Nam and China. International Camellia Journal 2011, No. 43: 18-25.

Winn, D.R. (2011). Preservation and conservation of ancient Theaceae germplasm from biological refuges in Vietnam. Congress Papers, The Proceedings of the International Camellia Congress, 5^thFeb – 9^th February 2012, Chuxiong, Yunnan, P. R. China. (Published under pseudonym).

Orel, G., Marchant, A.D., Curry, A.S. (2011). Molecular and morphological comparison of Camellia amplexicaulis (Pitard) Coh. Stuart (Theaceae) with its selected interspecific hybrids.  Congress Papers, The Proceedings of the International Camellia Congress, 5^th Feb – 9^th February 2012, Chuxiong, Yunnan, P. R. China.

Orel, G. & Wilson, P. G. (2012) Camellia luteocerata : a new species of Camellia (sect. Archaecamellia:Theaceae) from Viet Nam. Kew Bulletin 66:565-569.

Orel, G., Wilson, P. G., Curry, A. S. & Luu HongTruong (2012). Polyspora huongiana sp. nov. (Theaceae) from Vietnam and notes on related species. Nordic Journal of Botany 30: 47-52.

Orel, G., Wilson, P. G., Curry, A. S. & Luu Hong Truong (2012). Camellia inusitata (Theaceae), a new species forming a new section (Bidoupia) from Vietnam. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 69: 347-355.

Orel, G., Wilson, P. (2012). Camellia cherryana (Theaceae), a new species from China. Annales Botanici Fennici 49: 248-254.

Winn, D.R. (2011). Preservation and conservation of ancient Theaceae germplasm from biological refuges in Vietnam. International Camellia Journal 2012, No. 44: 161-63. (Published under pseudonym).

Orel, G., Marchant, A.D., Curry, A.S. (2011). Molecular and morphological comparison of Camellia amplexicaulis (Pitard) Coh. Stuart (Theaceae) with its selected interspecific hybrids. International Camellia Journal 2012, No. 44: 147-152.

Orel, G. & Curry, A. S. (2013) Preliminary morphological assessment of six new, yellow flowering Camellia (Theaceae) species from Viet Nam. Proceedings of the 3^rd International Academic Forum on Yellow Camellias. Nanning-Guangxi-China 2013.

Orel, G.(2013). Nine new yellow flowering Camellia (Theaceae) species from Viet Nam.  NSW Camellia Research Society Inc. Newsletter, October, Issue No.9: 6-8.

Orel, G., Wilson, P. G., Curry, A. S. & Luu HongTruong (2013). Camellia oconoriana (Theaceae) a new species from Vietnam. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 70: 439-447

Orel, G., Wilson, P.G., Curry, A. S. & Luu Hong Truong (2013).Two New Species of Polyspora (Theaceae) from Vietnam and new combinations for some Asian species. Willdenowia 43: 301-308.

Orel, G. & Curry, A.S. Preliminary morphological assessment of six new, yellow flowering Camellia (Theaceae) species from Viet Nam. International Camellia Journal, 2013 Number 45: 83-87

Orel, G., Wilson, P.G. & Luu Hong Truong (2014) Camellia curryana and C. longii spp. nov. (Theaceae) from Vietnam

2014. Orel 2014. Twelve new yellow flowering Camellia(Theaceae) species from Viet Nam. Camellia News, The Journal of Camellia Australia Inc. No 194:12-14
2015. Orel 2014. Conservation and preservation of rare and endangered Camelliain Australia. Camellia News, The Journal of Camellia Australia Inc. No. 194:14-15

Orel, G. & Curry, A.S. Genus Camellia: A review of extant taxonomic systems using the latest morphological and molecular data. International Camellia Journal 2014, No. 46: 51.

Orel, G. & Curry, A.S. Interspecific graft compatibility in genus Camellia L. with particular reference to Camellia piquetiana. International Camellia Journal 2014, No. 46: 130-135.

 

APPENDIX B: Field Trips and ICS Conference Participation by Dr George Orel (1999-2014)

• Northern Vietnam (1999)
• Northern, Central & Southern Vietnam (2001)
• Southern Vietnam (2002)
• Jinhua, Zhejiang People’s Republic of China (2003)
• Northern & Southern Vietnam (2004)
• Guangxi Autonomous Region, People’s Republic of China (2005)
• Southern Vietnam (2006)
• Northern Vietnam (2007)
• Melbourne, Victoria Australia (2008)
• Southern Vietnam, Phu Quoc Island & northern Vietnam (2008)
• Southern Vietnam & Phu Quoc Island (January 2010)
• Kurume and Goto Islands Japan (2010)
• Southern Vietnam (November 2010)
• Northern Viet Nam, Hanoi (2010)
• Northern, southern & central Vietnam (2011)
• Yunnan Province, Peoples’ Republic of China (2012)
• Southern Vietnam (2012)
• Guangxi Autonomous Region, Peoples’ Republic of China (2013)
• Southern Vietnam (July 2013)
• Southern Vietnam (November 2013)
• Portugal & Spain (2014)
• Southern Vietnam (2014)