The Flowering Shrubs and Trees of Hong Kong
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petals, free. Ovary of 1, 2, or more carpels, usually distinct at the time of flowering, but sometimes combined even then into a single 2- to 5-celled ovary, which is then always inferior or combined with the calyx. Ovules 1 or 2, or rarely more, in each carpel. As the fruit enlarges, the carpels either re- main free, or are variously combined with each other or with the calyx; when ripe, they either remain indehiscent or more rarely open on their inner edge. Seeds without albumen. Embryo with large cotyledons, and a short radicle. -Trees, shrubs, or (in genera not included in the present Flora) herbs. Leaves alternate, mostly toothed or divided, the stipules seldom wanting, and often leaf-like. Flowers either solitary at the end of the year's shoots, or in cymes or panicles, or more rarely in lateral branches or racemes." Bentham, (1) p. 103.
DISTRIBUTION. -A large cosmopolitan family with about 90 genera containing, 2,000 species.
HONG KONG GENERA.- -Prunus 4, Pygeum, Spiraea, Rubus 6, Agrimonia, Rosa 4, Pyrus, Photina 2, Eriobotrya, (Loquat) and Raphiolepis.
INTRODUCED SPECIES.-A large number and range of variety of Roses are cultivated for ornamental purposes in the Colony. A few ornamental species of Spiraea may also be found in Hong Kong gardens. The double variety of the Mauritius raspberry, Rubus rosaefolius, with flowers resembling small very compact, double, pure white, scentless Roses, is cultivated to a certain extent and may occasionally be seen in a semi-wild state in the vicinity of native villages. We are attempting to grow Rubus fraxinifolius, a native of the Philippine mountains, which bears fruit looking somewhat like straw- berries, but none have fruited yet.
ECONOMIC USES. Many species of different genera yield fruits which are valued as food e.g. Pyrus sp. apple and pear; Prunus sp, plum, peach, apricot, almond; Fragaria, strawberry; Rubus sp. blackberry, raspberry; and Eriobotrya, loquat.
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RAPHIOLEPIS, Lindl.
Calyx-tube narrow, adherent at the base to the ovary, the upper portion free, deciduous, 5-lobed,
Petals 5. Stamens numerous, Ovary inferior, 2-celled, with 2 erect ovules in each cell. Styles 2. Fruit succulent, crowned by a ring or cup indicating the base of the calyx-limb. Seed usually solitary, nearly globular, testa thin; cotyledons very thick, with scarcely any radicle. Trees or shrubs, without prickles.
Leaves simple, evergreen, usualy serrate. Flowers in short panicles or corymbs." Bentham (1) p. 107. DISTRIBUTION. 4 species only, ranging from S. China to Japan.
RAPHIOLEPIS INDICA, Lindl.
Bot. Reg. t. 468.
"An erect nearly glabrous shrub. Leaves from ovate to oblong or lanceolate, acuminate, 11⁄2 to 2 in, long, serrate, narrowed into a rather long petiole, coriaceous, smooth and shining above. Flowers white or pink, in short ovate panicles or shorter corymbs. Calyx-lobes usually narrow and acute. Fruit globular, varying in size, the scar of the calyx forming a mere rim or line round the top." Bentham (1) p. 107.
December 1937.
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