Further to our report of Botany at Victoria Peak in 2003, we joined the guided field study in April 2004. During the field study, we learned more about common species found on Victoria Peak. This powerpoint summarizes some interesting plants we saw that day.

Alocasia macrorrhiza
English Name: Giant Alocasia
Division: Anthophyta
Class: Angiosperm - Monocotyledon
Family: Araceae (天南星科)
Habit: Perennial herb

Alocasia macrorrhiza
It should not be eaten due to the presence of needle-shaped oxalate crystals that would cause swelling and inflammation in the mouth.

Arenga englerii
English name: Arenga Palm
Division: Anthophyta
Class: Angiosperm - Monocotyledon
Family: Arecaceae (Palmae) (棕櫚科)

Arenga englerii
Arenga Palm requires room temperature for germination.
Seedlings are extremely susceptible to spider.

Cyclosorus parasiticus
English names: Wood-fern, Parasitic Tri-vein Fern
Division: Pteridophyta (Ferns)
Family: Thelypteridaceae (金星蕨科)
Habit: Herb

Cyclosorus parasiticus
There are sori below the frond. They bear spores which are haploid and germinate into gametophytes

Boehmeria nivea
English name: White ramie
Division: Anthophyta
Class: Angiosperm - Dicotyledon
Familye: Urticaceae (蕁麻科)
Habit: Sub-shrub or shrub
Special characteristic: Lower surface of leaves are white in colour.

Boehmeria nivea
Ramie is a tough fibre and a nutritious feed. Their upper leaves, which contain lower fibre content, are rich in protein, minerals, lysine and carotene. It is a valuable source of carotenoids and riboflavin to poultry.

Lantana camara
English name: Lantana
Division: Anthophyta
Class: Angiosperm - Dicotyledon
Family: Verbenaceae (馬鞭草科)
Habit: Shrub

Lantana camara
Their nectar and colourful flowers attract butterflies for insect pollination. Butterflies aid in pollination by spreading pollens from one plant to the others.

Lemmaphyllum microphyllum
Division: Pteridophyta (Ferns)
Family: Polypodiaceae (水龍骨科)
Habit: Herb

Lemmaphyllum microphyllum
It is used for reducing inflammation, pain, bleeding and cough in Chinese medicine.

Ficus pumila
English name: Creeping Fig
Division: Anthophyta
Class: Angiosperm - Dicotyledon
Family: Moraceae (桑科)
Habit: Climbing woody vine

Ficus pumila
Numerous of tiny flowers arrange into a fig.
They are pollinated by tiny, specialized wasps, which require figs to complete their life cycle. The wasps enter through the hole in the end of the fig.