tea plant; Camellia sinensis
Refers to the tea plant itself, the evergreen shrub whose leaves are used to make tea.
Tea plants grow well in warm climates.
この地域では茶の木の栽培が盛んだ。
Tea plant cultivation is thriving in this region.
Hydrangea macrophylla var. thunbergii
Standard kanji spelling for the tea plant.
Katakana spelling used in botanical contexts or for emphasis; the reading is the same.
Compound of 茶 (cha, 'tea') + の (no, possessive particle) + 木 (ki, 'tree' or 'plant'), literally 'tea tree/plant'. The reading ちゃのき is a straightforward combination of these elements.