August

Nothing beats a leisurely walk in the shaded woods and streams in the heat of summer. Those who like to hike in the countryside of Hong Kong, especially along streams, should be familiar with the plant Chinese Buttonbush. In fact, this is one of the most common species of trees growing along streams of Hong Kong. Its hairy spherical flower is indeed unforgettable. This summer, visitors to the Wetland Park can see these peculiar flowers along the Stream Walk.

These peculiar spheres are in fact clusters of little white flowers arranged in the shape of a sphere. Before flowering, they look a bit like the fruits of the Strawberry Tree (Myrica rubra), hence the Chinese name 'Aquatic Strawberry Tree'. If you look closely, you can see a long style (part of the female reproductive organ) protruding from each flower, giving the flower its hairy appearance. In the fruiting season of autumn, you may see capsular fruits arranged in clusters, but the fruits are not as eye-catching as the flowers.

Chinese Buttonbush is an evergreen shrub or small tree that prefers moist soil, usually found along streamside. Its leaves are oval in shape with pointed tips, and it has a conspicuous middle vein. The leaves grow in pairs, and the pairs at the top of branches usually grow into crosses. The tree usually has a balanced form, because not only its leaves but its branches also grow in pairs. With these characteristics and habitat preference, the plant can be easily recognized even without the flowers.

Chinese Buttonbush is commonly found in the south of China. Since ages ago, people in the region have been utilizing it in different ways. For example, medical books in Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi recorded how the flowers, leaves, branches and roots of this plant can be used to detoxify, cure eczema and bleeding of wounds. In addition, the timber from this tree has been used for carving and making into tools. It is also the larval food plant for the butterfly Staff Sergeant (Athyma selenophora). Chinese Buttonbush has more than just pretty flowers – it is valuable in many ways!