Gordonia axillaris or the Fried Egg Plant is a tall, fast growing, evergreen shrub or small tree that closely resembles the Camellia.
It has slender, oval, green leaves, the tips of which turn scarlet before dropping (a few at a time). It makes a naturally attractive dome shape without the need for pruning.
It also bears large (10cms), white, open faced flowers with brilliant, golden yellow stamens in the centre. (looking not unlike a fried egg).
They make excellent feature and shade trees in small to medium gardens especially as they provide flower colour all the way though winter and into spring.