Hong Kong Orchid
by Elizabeth Winter
Title
Hong Kong Orchid
Artist
Elizabeth Winter
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Bauhinia blakeana or Hong Kong Orchid Tree is an orchid tree of the genus Bauhinia with 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 Botanic Gardens and widely planted in Hong Kong starting in 1914.[1] 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 (香港蘭/香港兰). Commonly called by the people of Hong Kong by its Chinese name of 洋紫荊.
The Bauhinia double-lobed leaf is similar in shape to a heart, or a butterfly. 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. Local people call the leaf "clever leaf" (聰明葉/聪明叶), and regard it as a symbol of cleverness. Some people use the leaves to make bookmarks in the hope that the bookmarks will bring them good luck in their studies
Uploaded
February 8th, 2013
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Comments (28)
Deb Halloran
This is absolutely gorgeous, Elizabeth. The color/contrasts, detail and light are so beautiful. Nicely done. v/l