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{{Short description|Species of legume}}
{{distinguish|Bauhinia purpurea}}
{{distinguish|Bauhinia purpurea}}
{{Speciesbox
{{Speciesbox
|name = ''Bauhinia × blakeana''
|image = Bauhinia blakeana (Key West).jpg
|image = Bauhinia blakeana (Key West).jpg
|image_caption = Flower
|image_caption = Flower
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}}
}}


'''''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana''''' ({{Respell|bow-HIN-ee-ə}} [cross] {{Respell|blayk-ee-AH-nə}}<ref name=Coom94/>), commonly called the '''Hong Kong orchid tree''',<ref>{{GRIN | ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' | accessdate = 15 December 2017}}</ref> is a [[Hybrid (biology)#In plants|hybrid]] [[legume|leguminous]] tree of the [[genus]] ''[[Bauhinia]]''. It has large thick leaves and striking purplish red flowers. The fragrant, orchid-like flowers are usually {{Convert|10|to|15|cm|in}} across, and bloom from early November to the end of March. Although now cultivated in many areas, it originated in [[Hong Kong]] in 1880 and apparently all of the cultivated trees derive from one cultivated at the [[Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens|Hong Kong Botanical Gardens]] and widely planted in Hong Kong starting in 1914.<ref name="lau" /> It is referred to as '''bauhinia''' in non-scientific literature though this is the name of the genus. It is sometimes called the '''Hong Kong orchid''' ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|香港蘭}}). In Hong Kong, it is most commonly referred to by its Chinese name of "{{lang|zh-Hant-HK|洋紫荊}}".
'''''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana''''' ({{Respell|bow-HIN-ee-ə}} [cross] {{Respell|blayk-ee-AH-nə}}<ref name=Coom94/>), commonly called the '''Hong Kong orchid tree''',<ref>{{GRIN | ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' | access-date = 15 December 2017}}</ref> is a [[Hybrid (biology)#In plants|hybrid]] [[legume|leguminous]] tree of the [[genus]] ''[[Bauhinia]]''. It has large thick leaves and striking purplish red flowers. The fragrant, orchid-like flowers are usually {{Convert|10|to|15|cm|in}} across, and bloom from early November to the end of March. Although now cultivated in many areas, it originated in [[Hong Kong]] in 1880 and apparently all of the cultivated trees derive from one cultivated at the [[Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens|Hong Kong Botanical Gardens]] and widely planted in Hong Kong starting in 1914.<ref name="lau" /> It is referred to as '''bauhinia''' in non-scientific literature though this is the name of the genus. It is sometimes called the '''Hong Kong orchid''' ({{zh|c=香港蘭|cy=Hēunggóng làahn|first=j,t}}). In Hong Kong, it is most commonly referred to by its Chinese name of {{lang|zh-Hant-HK|洋紫荊}} ''(yèuhng jígīng)''.


The ''Bauhinia'' double-lobed leaf is similar in shape to a heart or a butterfly. A typical leaf is {{Convert|7|to|10|cm|in}} long and {{Convert|10|to|13|cm|in}} wide, with a deep cleft dividing the apex. In Hong Kong the leaf is known as the "clever leaf" ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|聰明葉}}), and is regarded as a symbol of wisdom. Some people use the leaves to make bookmarks in the hope that they will bring them good luck in their studies.
The ''Bauhinia'' double-lobed leaf is similar in shape to a heart or a butterfly, or a camel's footprint - hence the common name camel's foot.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} A typical leaf is {{Convert|7|to|10|cm|in}} long and {{Convert|10|to|13|cm|in}} wide, with a deep cleft dividing the apex. In Hong Kong the leaf is known as the "clever leaf" ({{zh|c=聰明葉|cy=chūngmìhng yihp|labels=no|first=j,t}}), and is regarded as a symbol of wisdom. Some people use the leaves to make bookmarks in the hope that they will bring them good luck in their studies.


It is sterile, which means it does not generally produce seeds or fruits, and is a [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] between ''[[Bauhinia variegata]]'' and ''[[Bauhinia purpurea]]''.<ref name="lau">{{citation | doi = 10.3732/ajb.92.3.525 | title = Hybrid origin of "Bauhinia blakeana" (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae), inferred using morphological, reproductive, and molecular data | year = 2005 |author1=Lau, C. P. Y. |author2=Ramsden, L. |author3=Saunders, R. M. K. | journal = American Journal of Botany | volume = 92 | pages = 525–33 | issue = 3 | pmid = 21652431 }}</ref><ref name=Mak>{{citation | doi = 10.1111/j.1744-7909.2007.00591.x |date=Jan 2008 |author1=Mak, Cy |author2=Cheung, Ks |author3=Yip, Py |author4=Kwan, Hs | title = Molecular evidence for the hybrid origin of ''Bauhinia blakeana'' (Caesalpinioideae) | volume = 50 | issue = 1 | pages = 111–8 | issn = 1672-9072 | pmid = 18666958 | journal = Journal of integrative plant biology }}</ref> The 2008 research was able to identify the female parent as ''Bauhinia purpurea'', but it could not differentiate the male parent from ''Bauhinia variegata'' var. ''variegata'' or ''Bauhinia variegata'' var. ''candida''. This is not unexpected, as ''Bauhinia variegata'' var. ''candida'' is a white-flowered form of ''Bauhinia variegata'' var. ''variegata'', and not a separate species or sub-species. The 2005 research suggested ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' is genetically closer to ''Bauhinia variegata'', while the 2008 research indicated it is closer to ''Bauhinia purpurea'' instead.
It is sterile, which means it does not generally produce seeds or fruits, and is a [[Hybrid (biology)|hybrid]] between ''[[Bauhinia variegata]]'' and ''[[Bauhinia purpurea]]''.<ref name="lau">{{citation | doi = 10.3732/ajb.92.3.525 | title = Hybrid origin of "Bauhinia blakeana" (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae), inferred using morphological, reproductive, and molecular data | year = 2005 |author1=Lau, C. P. Y. |author2=Ramsden, L. |author3=Saunders, R. M. K. | journal = American Journal of Botany | volume = 92 | pages = 525–33 | issue = 3 | pmid = 21652431 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref name=Mak>{{citation | doi = 10.1111/j.1744-7909.2007.00591.x |date=Jan 2008 |author1=Mak, Cy |author2=Cheung, Ks |author3=Yip, Py |author4=Kwan, Hs | title = Molecular evidence for the hybrid origin of ''Bauhinia blakeana'' (Caesalpinioideae) | volume = 50 | issue = 1 | pages = 111–8 | issn = 1672-9072 | pmid = 18666958 | journal = Journal of Integrative Plant Biology }}</ref> The 2008 research was able to identify the female parent as ''Bauhinia purpurea'', but it could not differentiate the male parent from ''Bauhinia variegata'' var. ''variegata'' or ''Bauhinia variegata'' var. ''candida''. This is not unexpected, as ''Bauhinia variegata'' var. ''candida'' is a white-flowered form of ''Bauhinia variegata'' var. ''variegata'', and not a separate species or sub-species. The 2005 research suggested ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' is genetically closer to ''Bauhinia variegata'', while the 2008 research indicated it is closer to ''Bauhinia purpurea'' instead.


Propagation is by grafting, cuttings and air-layering. As it is only known in cultivation, it can also be named as a [[cultivar]]: ''Bauhinia'' 'Blakeana'.<ref name="lau"/> Hong Kong orchid trees are usually sterile, yet here, too, there are exceptions. One tree has been found in Hong Kong that produces seeds, perhaps indicating that evolution or mutation has occurred, or that even though ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' is perhaps sterile when self-pollinated (the scientific study in 2005 established the low fertility of ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'''s pollen when compared with its parental species ''Bauhinia purpurea'' or ''Bauhinia variegata''), however, it may perhaps be able to produce seeds when pollinated instead by its parental species ''Bauhinia purpurea'' or ''Bauhinia variegata'' or other related ''Bauhinia'' species. More scientific research will need to be carried out, e.g., artificial controlled cross-pollination experiments to confirm the ability of ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' in [[Backcrossing|backcross]] or [[Outcrossing|outcross]] to produce (fertile) seeds.
Propagation is by grafting. As it is only known in cultivation, it can also be named as a [[cultivar]]: ''Bauhinia'' 'Blakeana'.<ref name="lau"/> Hong Kong orchid trees are usually sterile, yet here, too, there are exceptions. One tree has been found in Hong Kong that produces seeds, perhaps indicating that evolution or mutation has occurred, or that even though ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' is perhaps sterile when self-pollinated (the scientific study in 2005 established the low fertility of ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'''s pollen when compared with its parental species ''Bauhinia purpurea'' or ''Bauhinia variegata''), however, it may perhaps be able to produce seeds when pollinated instead by its parental species ''Bauhinia purpurea'' or ''Bauhinia variegata'' or other related ''Bauhinia'' species. More scientific research will need to be carried out, e.g., artificial controlled cross-pollination experiments to confirm the ability of ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' in [[Backcrossing|backcross]] or [[Outcrossing|outcross]] to produce (fertile) seeds.


Lawrence Ramsden of the University of Hong Kong's Department of Botany is conducting the search to find out if there are any more individuals that can produce seeds – if so, they could benefit propagation of the tree for horticulture.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Join the Hunt for ''Bauhinia'' Seeds |url=http://web.hku.hk/~lramsden/bauhjoin.html |accessdate=2014-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19991013043744/http://web.hku.hk/~lramsden/bauhjoin.html |archivedate=1999-10-13 }}</ref> Two previous instances of seeds found from ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' specimens failed to germinate.<ref name=Mak/> Development of seed pods (but no seeds) from ''B.'' × ''blakeana'' (see footnote 5 link with photos) have been observed on three trees in Tai Po and Kowloon in Hong Kong. These three ''B.'' × ''blakeana'' trees with numerous seed pods were grown alongside ''B. purpurea'', ''B. variegata'' (white flowered form) and ''B. variegata''. At the time (March in Hong Kong), both ''B. blakeana'' and ''B. purpurea'' were flowering, therefore, the pollens for development of ''B. blakeana'' seed pods may have been contributed from ''B. purpurea''.<ref>[http://www.hktree.com/diary/17w05.htm "誰說洋紫荊不結果", ''Ken Lau手記'']</ref>
Lawrence Ramsden of the University of Hong Kong's Department of Botany is conducting the search to find out if there are any more individuals that can produce seeds – if so, they could benefit propagation of the tree for horticulture.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Join the Hunt for ''Bauhinia'' Seeds |url=http://web.hku.hk/~lramsden/bauhjoin.html |access-date=2014-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991013043744/http://web.hku.hk/~lramsden/bauhjoin.html |archive-date=1999-10-13 }}</ref> Two previous instances of seeds found from ''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' specimens failed to germinate.<ref name=Mak/> Development of seed pods (but no seeds) from ''B.'' × ''blakeana'' have been observed on three trees in Tai Po and Kowloon in Hong Kong. These three ''B.'' × ''blakeana'' trees with numerous seed pods were grown alongside ''B. purpurea'', ''B. variegata'' (white flowered form) and ''B. variegata''. At the time (March in Hong Kong), both ''B. blakeana'' and ''B. purpurea'' were flowering, therefore, the pollens for development of ''B. blakeana'' seed pods may have been contributed from ''B. purpurea''.<ref>[http://www.hktree.com/diary/17w05.htm "誰說洋紫荊不結果", ''Ken Lau手記'']</ref>


==History==
==History==
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==Usage as an emblem==
==Usage as an emblem==
⚫
[[Image:Flag of Hong Kong.svg|thumb|180px|left|The [[flag of Hong Kong]] Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China]]
[[File:HKUrbanCouncil.svg|thumb|''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' was adopted as the [[National emblem|floral emblem]] of [[Hong Kong]] by the [[Urban Council, Hong Kong|Urban Council]] in 1965.]]
[[File:HKUrbanCouncil.svg|thumb|''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' was adopted as the [[National emblem|floral emblem]] of [[Hong Kong]] by the [[Urban Council, Hong Kong|Urban Council]] in 1965.]]
[[File:Urban Council of Hong Kong Armorial Bearings.png|thumb|Historical Urban Council of Hong Kong armorial bearings, granted by the [[College of Arms]] in 1979. The council was abolished in 1999.]]
[[File:Urban Council of Hong Kong Armorial Bearings.png|thumb|Historical Urban Council of Hong Kong armorial bearings, granted by the [[College of Arms]] in 1979. The council was abolished on the 31st of December 1999.]]
⚫
[[Image:Flag of Hong Kong.svg|thumb|right|The [[flag of Hong Kong]] Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China in 1997.]]
Since 1997 the flower appears on Hong Kong's coat of arms, [[Flag of Hong Kong|its flag]] and [[Hong Kong dollar|its coins]]; its Chinese name has also been frequently shortened as 紫荊/紫荆 (洋 ''yáng'' means 'foreign' in Chinese, and this would be deemed inappropriate by the PRC government{{cn|date=July 2020}}), although 紫荊/紫荆 refers to another genus called ''[[Cercis]]''. A [[statue]] of the plant has been erected in [[Golden Bauhinia Square]] in Hong Kong.
Since 1997 the flower appears on Hong Kong's coat of arms, [[Flag of Hong Kong|its flag]] and [[Hong Kong dollar|its coins]]; its Chinese name has also been frequently shortened as 紫荊/紫荆 (洋 ''yáng'' means 'foreign' in Chinese, and this would be deemed inappropriate by the PRC government{{cn|date=July 2020}}), although 紫荊/紫荆 refers to another genus called ''[[Cercis]]''. A [[statue]] of the plant has been erected in [[Golden Bauhinia Square]] in Hong Kong.
Although the flowers are bright pinkish purple in colour, they are depicted in white on the Flag of Hong Kong.
Although the flowers are bright pinkish purple in colour, they are depicted in white on the Flag of Hong Kong.
Line 38: Line 38:


The [[endemic (ecology)|endemic]] plant of [[Hong Kong]] was introduced to [[Taiwan]] in 1967. In 1984 it was chosen to be the city flower of [[Chiayi|Chiayi City]], in southwestern [[Taiwan]].
The [[endemic (ecology)|endemic]] plant of [[Hong Kong]] was introduced to [[Taiwan]] in 1967. In 1984 it was chosen to be the city flower of [[Chiayi|Chiayi City]], in southwestern [[Taiwan]].
{{Chinese|t=洋紫荊|s=洋紫荆|j=joeng4 zi2 ging1|y=yeung<sup>4</sup> ji<sup>2</sup> ging<sup>1</sup>|p=yáng zǐ jīng|ci={{IPAc-yue|j|oeng|4|-|z|i|2|-|g|ing|1}}}}
{{Chinese|t=洋紫荊|s=洋紫荆|j=joeng4 zi2 ging1|y= yèuhng jígīng|p=yáng zǐjīng|ci={{IPAc-yue|j|oeng|4|-|z|i|2|-|g|ing|1}}}}


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Tree I IMG 2075.jpg|Tree in [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]].
File:Tree I IMG 2075.jpg|Tree in [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]].
Image:Flowers I IMG 2101.jpg|Flowers in Kolkata
File:Flowers I IMG 2101.jpg|Flowers in Kolkata
Image:Leaf I MG 2069.jpg|Leaf in Kolkata
File:Leaf I MG 2069.jpg|Leaf in Kolkata
Image:Flower buds I IMG 2064.jpg|Flower buds in Kolkata
File:Flower buds I IMG 2064.jpg|Flower buds in Kolkata
Image:Bark I IMG 2073.jpg|Bark in Kolkata
File:Bark I IMG 2073.jpg|Bark in Kolkata
File:Bauhinia × blakeana.jpg|flower in [[Ajmiriganj Upazila|Ajmiriganj]], [[Sylhet]], [[Bangladesh]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=Coom94>{{Cite book |last=Coombes |first=Allen J. |year=1994 |title=Dictionary of Plant Names |publication-place=London |publisher=Hamlyn Books |isbn=978-0-600-58187-1 |p=22}} Respelling pronunciation slightly adapted as per [[Help:Pronunciation respelling key]].</ref>
<ref name=Coom94>{{Cite book |last=Coombes |first=Allen J. |year=1994 |title=Dictionary of Plant Names |location=London |publisher=Hamlyn Books |isbn=978-0-600-58187-1 |page=22}} Respelling pronunciation slightly adapted as per [[Help:Pronunciation respelling key]].</ref>


<ref name=POWO_481142-1>{{cite web |title=''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' Dunn |work=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|url=http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:481142-1 |accessdate=2020-05-27 }}</ref>
<ref name=POWO_481142-1>{{cite web |title=''Bauhinia'' × ''blakeana'' Dunn |work=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew|url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:481142-1 |access-date=2020-05-27 }}</ref>
}}
}}


== External links ==
==External links==
* [https://readnational.com/national-flower-hong-kong-bauhinia/ National Flower of Hong Kong]
* [https://readnational.com/national-flower-hong-kong-bauhinia/ National Flower of Hong Kong]
* {{Commons-inline}}
*
{{Commons|Bauhinia × blakeana}}
* [http://martinwilliams.tripod.com/hkwildstars/bauhinia.html Bauhinia – Hong Kong emblem]
* [http://martinwilliams.tripod.com/hkwildstars/bauhinia.html Bauhinia – Hong Kong emblem]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051126085028/http://web.hku.hk/~lramsden/bauhinintro.html Hong Kong Bauhinias]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051126085028/http://web.hku.hk/~lramsden/bauhinintro.html Hong Kong Bauhinias]
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[[Category:Ornamental trees]]
[[Category:Ornamental trees]]
[[Category:Hybrid plants]]
[[Category:Hybrid plants]]
[[Category:Fabales of Asia]]

Latest revision as of 07:55, 26 April 2023

Not to be confused with Bauhinia purpurea.

Bauhinia × blakeana
Flower
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Bauhinia
Species:
B. × blakeana
Binomial name
Bauhinia × blakeana

Bauhinia × blakeana (bow-HIN-ee-ə [cross] blayk-ee-AH-nə[2]), commonly called the Hong Kong orchid tree,[3] is a hybrid leguminous tree of the genus Bauhinia. It has large thick leaves and striking purplish red flowers. The fragrant, orchid-like flowers are usually 10 to 15 centimetres (3.9 to 5.9 in) across, and bloom from early November to the end of March. Although now cultivated in many areas, it originated in Hong Kong in 1880 and apparently all of the cultivated trees derive from one cultivated at the Hong Kong Botanical Gardens and widely planted in Hong Kong starting in 1914.[4] It is referred to as bauhinia in non-scientific literature though this is the name of the genus. It is sometimes called the Hong Kong orchid (Chinese: 香港蘭; Cantonese Yale: Hēunggóng làahn). In Hong Kong, it is most commonly referred to by its Chinese name of 洋紫荊 (yèuhng jígīng).

The Bauhinia double-lobed leaf is similar in shape to a heart or a butterfly, or a camel's footprint - hence the common name camel's foot.[citation needed] A typical leaf is 7 to 10 centimetres (2.8 to 3.9 in) long and 10 to 13 centimetres (3.9 to 5.1 in) wide, with a deep cleft dividing the apex. In Hong Kong the leaf is known as the "clever leaf" (聰明葉; chūngmìhng yihp), and is regarded as a symbol of wisdom. Some people use the leaves to make bookmarks in the hope that they will bring them good luck in their studies.

It is sterile, which means it does not generally produce seeds or fruits, and is a hybrid between Bauhinia variegata and Bauhinia purpurea.[4][5] The 2008 research was able to identify the female parent as Bauhinia purpurea, but it could not differentiate the male parent from Bauhinia variegata var. variegata or Bauhinia variegata var. candida. This is not unexpected, as Bauhinia variegata var. candida is a white-flowered form of Bauhinia variegata var. variegata, and not a separate species or sub-species. The 2005 research suggested Bauhinia × blakeana is genetically closer to Bauhinia variegata, while the 2008 research indicated it is closer to Bauhinia purpurea instead.

Propagation is by grafting. As it is only known in cultivation, it can also be named as a cultivar: Bauhinia 'Blakeana'.[4] Hong Kong orchid trees are usually sterile, yet here, too, there are exceptions. One tree has been found in Hong Kong that produces seeds, perhaps indicating that evolution or mutation has occurred, or that even though Bauhinia × blakeana is perhaps sterile when self-pollinated (the scientific study in 2005 established the low fertility of Bauhinia × blakeana's pollen when compared with its parental species Bauhinia purpurea or Bauhinia variegata), however, it may perhaps be able to produce seeds when pollinated instead by its parental species Bauhinia purpurea or Bauhinia variegata or other related Bauhinia species. More scientific research will need to be carried out, e.g., artificial controlled cross-pollination experiments to confirm the ability of Bauhinia × blakeana in backcross or outcross to produce (fertile) seeds.

Lawrence Ramsden of the University of Hong Kong's Department of Botany is conducting the search to find out if there are any more individuals that can produce seeds – if so, they could benefit propagation of the tree for horticulture.[6] Two previous instances of seeds found from Bauhinia × blakeana specimens failed to germinate.[5] Development of seed pods (but no seeds) from B. × blakeana have been observed on three trees in Tai Po and Kowloon in Hong Kong. These three B. × blakeana trees with numerous seed pods were grown alongside B. purpurea, B. variegata (white flowered form) and B. variegata. At the time (March in Hong Kong), both B. blakeana and B. purpurea were flowering, therefore, the pollens for development of B. blakeana seed pods may have been contributed from B. purpurea.[7]

History[edit]

Flower

This tree was discovered in around 1880 by a French Catholic Missionary of the Paris Foreign Missions (MEP), near the ruins of a house above the shore-line of western Hong Kong island near Pok Fu Lam and propagated to the formal botanical gardens in Victoria/Central.[4]

The first thorough scientific description of the tree was made by Stephen Troyte Dunn, Superintendent of the Botanical and Forestry Department, who assigned it to the genus Bauhinia in his paper of 1908.[8] Dunn named the tree for "Sir Henry and Lady Blake", the former being Sir Henry Blake, British Governor of Hong Kong, from 1898 to 1903. Sir Henry and Lady Blake were thus thanked for their promotion of the Hong Kong Botanic Gardens.

Dunn's description was based on the trees in the Botanical Gardens, which had been grown from cuttings taken from trees cultivated in the French Mission at Pokfulam, on the west coast of Hong Kong Island, which in turn were derived from a tree (or trees) found nearby. As far as is known, all the French Mission cuttings were taken from a single tree, so all Hong Kong orchid trees today would be clones of the original tree. Dr Lawrence Ramsden of the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Botany estimates that this clonal origin would mean that B. × blakeana could be susceptible to decimation by epidemics, though it has so far avoided major diseases.

In order to avoid the susceptibility of B. × blakeana to diseases due to the lack of genetic diversity from the current clones of a single B. × blakeana tree back in 1880s, efforts should be made to re-hybridise the parental species of B. × blakeana, ie, crossing B. purpurea and B. variegata to generate new hybrid specimens of B. × blakeana instead to add new genetic materials to the current stock of B. × blakeana.

Usage as an emblem[edit]

Bauhinia × blakeana was adopted as the floral emblem of Hong Kong by the Urban Council in 1965.
Historical Urban Council of Hong Kong armorial bearings, granted by the College of Arms in 1979. The council was abolished on the 31st of December 1999.
The flag of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China in 1997.

Since 1997 the flower appears on Hong Kong's coat of arms, its flag and its coins; its Chinese name has also been frequently shortened as 紫荊/紫荆 (洋 yáng means 'foreign' in Chinese, and this would be deemed inappropriate by the PRC government[citation needed]), although 紫荊/紫荆 refers to another genus called Cercis. A statue of the plant has been erected in Golden Bauhinia Square in Hong Kong. Although the flowers are bright pinkish purple in colour, they are depicted in white on the Flag of Hong Kong. Hong Kong Airlines uses BAUHINIA as its callsign.

The endemic plant of Hong Kong was introduced to Taiwan in 1967. In 1984 it was chosen to be the city flower of Chiayi City, in southwestern Taiwan.

Bauhinia × blakeana
Traditional Chinese洋紫荊
Simplified Chinese洋紫荆

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Bauhinia × blakeana Dunn". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  2. ^ Coombes, Allen J. (1994). Dictionary of Plant Names. London: Hamlyn Books. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-600-58187-1. Respelling pronunciation slightly adapted as per Help:Pronunciation respelling key.
  3. ^ "Bauhinia × blakeana". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d Lau, C. P. Y.; Ramsden, L.; Saunders, R. M. K. (2005), "Hybrid origin of "Bauhinia blakeana" (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae), inferred using morphological, reproductive, and molecular data", American Journal of Botany, 92 (3): 525–33, doi:10.3732/ajb.92.3.525, PMID 21652431
  5. ^ a b Mak, Cy; Cheung, Ks; Yip, Py; Kwan, Hs (Jan 2008), "Molecular evidence for the hybrid origin of Bauhinia blakeana (Caesalpinioideae)", Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 50 (1): 111–8, doi:10.1111/j.1744-7909.2007.00591.x, ISSN 1672-9072, PMID 18666958
  6. ^ "How to Join the Hunt for Bauhinia Seeds". Archived from the original on 1999-10-13. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
  7. ^ "誰說洋紫荊不結果", Ken Lau手記
  8. ^ S. T. Dunn (1908). "New Chinese Plants". Journal of Botany, British and Foreign. 46 (550): 324–326., Page 325

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bauhinia_×_blakeana&oldid=1151792253"