ENG-1969 — Page 322

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NATURAL HISTORY

until the middle of March. A new and distinct camellia was dis- covered in 1955 and named Camellia Granthamiana in honour of the then Governor, Sir Alexander Grantham. Only one tree has so far been found, on the edge of a wooded ravine near the Jubilee reser- voir, bearing handsome white flowers five-and-a-half inches across, with a dense cluster of golden stamens in the centre. From this solitary tree numerous seeds and grafts have been distributed to many botanical and horticultural institutions abroad.

Many local shrubs and a few herbs have very beautiful fruits in striking colours. The Ardisia, the Chloranthus and several wild hollies have brilliant red berries. Numerous yellow fruits with elusive names abound the hillsides, one of which is the Maesa. There are many inconspicuous green fruits and berries, one of which is the Mussaenda or Buddha's Lamp. The remarkable star-like fruit of the Sterculia turns crimson in late summer and splits open to disclose jet black seeds. At a distance, these open fruits look like large red flowers.

More than 70 species of native orchids are recorded. Some of the ground orchids are very beautiful and have long been cultivated in other countries. Probably the best known of the local species is the Nun orchid, bearing flowers four inches across with white petals and a purple lip. Other noteworthy species are the white Susanna orchid, the yellow Buttercup orchid, the pink Bamboo orchid and the purple Lady's Slipper orchid.

In 1968 the following new discoveries were made in the Hong Kong flora: Polygala nimborum, Magnolia fistulosa and Goodyera cordata. Also several orchids suspected to be new species have been sent to Kew for identification. The latest addition to the flora is Ailanthus fordii, a plant collected by Charles Ford over 80 years ago but only recently described as a distinct species and one which is not recorded from outside Hong Kong.

Ford, a noted botanist, was the first Superintendent of the then Botanical and Forestry Department and founder of the Hong Kong Herbarium. The herbarium survives to this day and now contains some 30,000 specimens representing 2,346 indigenous species and 2,500 related species from adjacent regions.

By regulations, made under the Forestry Ordinance, special pro- tection is given to certain plants including camellias, enkianthus, magnolias, orchids, and azaleas.