The city flower of Hongkong is Bauhinia blakeana. When the territory returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, the flower was chosen as the emblem for the newly-formed Hong Kong .
It is said that a new species of Bauhinia, unique to Hong Kong, was discovered near the seashore at Telegraph Bay on Hong Kong Island in the 19th Century. The species was named Bauhinia blakeana after Sir Henry Blake, governor of Hong Kong from 1898 to 1903, who was a strong supporter of botany.
They are characterised by two-lobed leaves with veins radiating from the leaf base. Bauhinias are widely planted as ornamental trees in parks, gardens and roadside verges. They can prevent soil erosion and landslides, serve as sound barriers, shelters and food sources for animals, and help attract wildlife to dwell in our city. Mass planting of Bauhinias could also regulate the urban micro-climate to make our living environment more comfortable.
The genus Bauhinia has 250-300 species of trees, shrubs and climbers. Most commonly found species in Hong Kong include Bauhinia purpurea, Bauhinia variegata, Bauhinia glauca, Bauhinia tomentosa, Bauhinia variegata var. candida and Bauhinia blakeana.
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