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G. A. C. HERKLOTS
A shrub of six to twelve feet in height. The leaves apparently only stay on for one year, they are smooth, green above and glaucous below. About 5 inflorescences are borne each in the axil of a leaf at the end of the shoot; usually 5 flowers compose one involucrate inflorescence. The inflores- cence stalk is curved resulting in the inflorescence being inverted. basal half of the inflorescence stalk is green the distal half and basal scales are
T. INCH
Figure 6. Rhodoleia Championi, Hook,
The
pink and russet. The scales in the middle region are pink with a large russet patch occupying the tip and distal third of the scale.
The largest
scales are similarly coloured and with golden hairs on the apical margin. The perianth segments, 15-20 in number, are bright rose-carmine with a white stalk (hidden behind the scales) russet at the bsae and a midrib which appears white on the lower surface. Each is about 14 inches long and inch in width. The styles are 3/4 inch long, the basal quarter yellow, the distal half red. The bright rose-carmine of the flowers makes them very conspicuous and attractive.
The Hong Kong Naturalist.
203
The Flowering Shrubs and Trees of Hong Kong
NAME-Tiu' chung' wong1, Hanging bell king. ILLUSTRATION. Figure 6 shows two twigs with inflorescences in the axils of the leaves, the upper right inset is of a group of 5 fruits and illustrates their appearance after dehiscence.
ECONOMIC USE. This very beautiful flowering shrub is cultivated in Botanic Gardens, there are two or three bushes 6 or 8 feet in height in the Hong Kong Botanic Gardens which flower profusely every year. In the Hakgala Gardens, Ceylon, this tree has been established for several years but it does not set seed there.
FLOWERING PERIOD.-January to the beginning of March. Ripe seeds may be gathered in October.
LOCALITIES.-Abundant on a hill above Little Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Island.
REFERENCES. (1) Bentham, p. 131. (3) D. and T., p. 101.
ovary.
ERICACEAE.
Shek, Naam, For1.
'Calyx of 4 or 5 divisions, either free or with a tube adnate to the Corolla inferior or superior, usually ovoid or globular, sometimes clongated or campanulate, with 4 or 5 lobes, or very rarely 4 or 5 distinct petals, regular or slightly irregular. Stamens twice as many, or rarely of the same number as the lobes of the corolla, and inserted within the corolla but distinct from it. Anthers 2-celled, opening at the top in pores or short oblique slits, very rarely extending to the base of the cells, Ovary having usually as many cells (rarely apparently twice as many) as the lobes of the corolla, rarely reduced to 3 or 2, with one or several ovules in each. Fruit a capsule or berry. Seeds very small, with a fleshy albumen.-Shrubs some- times very low, creeping, and almost herbaceous, or occasionally growing into small trees, very rarely true herbs. Leaves entire or toothed, undivided, usually alternate. Flowers either axillary and solitary, or in short clusters or racemes, or forming teminal racemes, corymbs, clusters, or heads." Bentham (1) p. 199.
DISTRIBUTION.-A large family widespread over the world especially in the temperate and colder regions, not uncommon also in hilly districts in the tropics.
HONG KONG GENERA. ———.
-Enkianthus, and Rhododendron 6.
ECONOMIC USES,- This family includes the heathers, Calluna, Erica, and the 250 or more species of Rhododendron which are so much valued as ornamental shrubs.
ENKIANTHUS, Lour.
'Calyx free, 5-lobed. Corolla campanulate, shortly 5-lobed, and marked at the base by 5 nectariferous almost pellucid pits. Stamens 10. Anther-cells tipped with awn-like points, and opening longitudinally to the base. Ovary 5-celled. Capsule hard, 5-angled, opening loculicidally in 5 valves." Bentham (1) p. 200,
December 1932.
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