COTTON TREE (木棉) [1]
You know it’s Spring
When you see
A sea of flaming Scarlet
Decorating Hong Kong’s streets and alleyways
A cultural symbol of
Heroism and Resilient
To me
She is also Home
[1] 木棉: Bombox ceiba, also called Cotton Tree, Red Kapok, Red silk-cotton, Red Cotton, Hero Tree ( 英雄樹 )…
They are thought to be originated from northern Australia or Asia.
The trunks are straight, tall and mighty in appearance.
They can grow to an average height of 20 metres, but the tallest one in Hong Kong is 60 metres.
They are deciduous, ie…they shed their leaves every winter before the new foliage.
Flowers bloom at around February to March.
They are cup shaped with 5 waxy petals, each around 12 cm in length. Most commonly red, but orange and yellow can also be found.
The dried flowers are used as Chinese medicine.
The fruits ( a capsule which splits open when ripe) bear black seeds with white fibres, like cotton, hence the name 木棉花 ( tree cotton).
This mighty flowering tree has been taken as the symbol of a person’s or nation’s invincible spirit in Chinese culture.
Thank you for your appreciation!
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Lens: Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
Location: Hong Kong
Time: 2023-2024
