Hong Kong Seasons of Color: Botany in Our Midst - Spring / Compiled by David Tai-wai Lau, Chi-hang King, San-hong Alice Ng

**Discover Hong Kong Through New Eyes** **Witness the Seasons in this Concrete Jungle** This book series, divided into four volumes by season, documents 100 common plants found in Hong Kong's urban and natural landscapes. These plants, which grow year-round in parks, along sidewalks, and within school campuses, are ever-present yet often overlooked. The book uses the most prominent colors of plants—their flowers, fruits, or leaves—as an indexing system. This allows readers to easily find information even if they don't know the species' name, simply by referencing the color. With over 1,600 photographs taken from various angles and focal lengths, complemented by 3D plant models created by the Hu Hiu-chuan Herbarium and 360-degree VR recordings capturing plants in their natural growth state, this book offers a novel, digitally interactive approach to understanding the flora around us. Grounded in rigorous botanical classification research, it simplifies complex knowledge about common Hong Kong plants, serving as an accessible introduction to botany. By understanding these plants that share our land, day in and day out, and moving from unfamiliarity to intimacy, you'll discover a wealth of life worth protecting within this concrete jungle. **Spring** As winter recedes, spring breathes warmth and life back into the earth, a season where many plants bud and bloom in concert with the reawakening of long-dormant animal activity. This volume focuses on species that showcase vibrant colors during their spring flowering period, featuring a total of 25 varieties in shades of purple, red, yellow, green, and white. It also includes one variety with striking purplish-red foliage, bringing the total to 26 types in this edition. **Endorsements** “Hong Kong Seasons of Color: Botany in Our Midst” is a popular yet richly informative popular science series. It documents 100 plants from our community and common species on the Chinese University campus, showcasing the beauty of our campus through the seasons. It also symbolizes the University's 60 years of building a beautiful campus, fostering a conducive learning environment, and serving society. **— Prof. Stephen Wong, Dean of the School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong** Unlike many recent books on plants, this series is divided into four volumes themed around seasonal colors, allowing readers to appreciate and learn about local flora through the lens of nature's palette. The books are complete with detailed information on leaf, flower, and fruit characteristics, accompanied by pleasing photographs. The innovative use of QR codes to access 3D images and virtual growth environment recordings of species immerses readers in a lifelike experience with plants, significantly enhancing the enjoyment of learning and appreciating them. **— Dr. David Lau, Editor-in-Chief, Encyclopedia of Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong** Full Title: Hong Kong Seasons of Color: Botany in Our Midst - Spring ISBN: 978-988-237-301-3 Binding: Hardcover Language: Chinese Pages: 124 Dimensions: 260 x 190 mm **Author/Editor/3D Modeler Profiles** **David Tai-wai LAU (Author)** Curator, Hu Hiu-chuan Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong A botanist who has participated in numerous research projects on plant taxonomy, herbal identification, and pharmacology, he is responsible for managing the "Hong Kong Flora and Vegetation" program. His research interests include local biodiversity, plant taxonomy, Chinese herbal medicine identification, and medicinal herb horticulture. **KING Chi-hang (Author, Editor)** Education Manager, Hu Hiu-chuan Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong A graduate of the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Department of Biology in the early 2000s, he possesses extensive experience in STEAM education. He has contributed to the establishment of the Hong Kong Flora and Vegetation database and has produced or participated in numerous large-scale popular science education platforms and initiatives over the past decade. He aims to disseminate scientific knowledge about plants to the public through popular science education and is a member of the Hu Hiu-chuan Herbarium's "Botany STEAM Education Program." **Alice NG San-hong (Author)** Research Assistant, Hu Hiu-chuan Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong A graduate of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. From a young age, she was curious about flora and fauna, enjoying exploring parks and wild terrains, and using drawing and photography to capture the beauty of nature. At the herbarium, she is involved in research and educational work related to plants. Believing that "a grain of sand contains a world, a flower contains a heaven," she hopes this book will help the public and plant enthusiasts better understand and appreciate the plants that accompany us every day. **WONG Ho-lam (3D Modeler)** Research Coordinator, Hu Hiu-chuan Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Holds a Master's degree in Environmental Management from The University of Hong Kong. His daily work involves field observation and recording of plants, specimen collection, and plant identification and authentication. His research scope includes documenting the external structural characteristics of plant fruits and seeds using 3D technology and establishing a virtual 3D fruit and seed database. He has participated in organizing scientific research and educational activities, including VR plant nature trails and plant learning courses for primary and secondary schools.