Get to Know the Trees in Hong Kong by Starting with Tree Cotton

Published on 23 Mar 2020

Every year from March to April, the big red flowers of Tree Cotton always catch my eyes when I am strolling along the streets in Hong Kong. Tree Cotton, also known as Red Kapok Tree or Hero Tree, is a flowering deciduous tree with tall and straight trunk that may reach 25 metres in height. Tree Cotton is widely cultivated in Hong Kong and you can find the trees along the road or in the parks in many districts.

Tree Cotton's value is more than meets our eyes. The dried flowers can be used as a Chinese Medicine and is one of the ingredients of the Chinese Herbal Tea. Its tree bark and root are also used as Chinese Medicines for getting rid of heatiness and detoxification. In addition, Tree Cotton contributes much to the local ecology. The nectar produced by its flowers is a delicacy to some commonly seen birds, such as Red-whiskered Bulbul, Crested Myna and Swinhoe's White-eye. They can be found feasting on the blossoming tree. Don't miss the chance to enjoy bird-watching while appreciating the flowers.

When the birds and insects feed on the nectar of the flowers, they unwittingly help the Tree Cotton to pollinate. The pollinated flowers will then grow into 10 to 15-centimetre long fruits. When mature, the fruit capsules burst open and the wind will carry numerous seeds wrapped in fluffy cotton into the air in their search for a new home. In May, we can enjoy the beautiful scene of fluffy flakes drifting down from the trees.

We may not pay much attention to Tree Cotton in the hustle and bustle of our lives. However, Tree Cotton is not completely unknown to us because its heroic image has been mentioned in textbooks and Cantopop songs. Starting from today, let's slow down the pace to appreciate the trees, and admire the beauty of nature!

Flowering Tree Cotton

The seeds wrapped in fluffy cotton are very light in weight, and can be dispersed far by wind.

Nectar in the flowers of Tree Cotton is a delicacy to the birds.