Hong Kong Orchid Tree 洋紫荊
Scientific Name 學名: Bauhinia x blakeana
Basic Information 基本資料
Hong Kong Orchid Tree is a native species and the city flower of Hong Kong. It was also adopted as the logo of regional flag and emblem of Hong Kong with the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on 1st July 1997.
Flowering: Nov - Mar
Fruiting Period: Fruitless
洋紫荊是香港的土生植物，被選為香港市花。香港特別行政區於1997年7月1日成立以後，亦將洋紫荊作為香港特區區旗及區徽的圖案。
花期: 11月 - 3月
果期: 不結果實
Special Features 特徵
Grafting ring is often observed on the trunk of Hong Kong Orchid Tree. The leaves are suborbicular or broadly cordate. Each flower is made up of 5 purplish red petals, with darker stripes on the top petal.
洋紫荊樹幹上可以見到因嫁接留下來的接合環痕，而葉形呈圓形或闊心形。每朵花由五塊深紫紅色的花瓣組成，其中最頂端花瓣有較深色的條紋。
Interesting Facts 趣味知識
Hong Kong Orchid Tree is unable to yield seeds. It is believed that the first Hong Kong Orchid Tree is born due to the accidental interspecies mating in nature even though this probability is extremely low. In 1880, a priest discovered a Hong Kong Orchid Tree and successfully cultivated it by twig cutting. If it was not found and cultivated, Hong Kong Orchid Tree might not exist.
洋紫荊不結種子，它的出現是在自然界中偶發性的透過異種雜交而來，這種偶發性的機率極低。於1880年，一位神父在港發現洋紫荊並透過插枝方法成功培養洋紫荊。如果洋紫荊没有被發現及成功培養，洋紫荊或已不再存在。