Hong Kong Seasons in Color (Set) / Compiled by LIU Tai-wai, WONG Tin-hang, NG San-niang

**Discover the Hong Kong You've Overlooked – See the Four Seasons in This Concrete Jungle** This set of books is divided into four volumes based on the seasons, documenting 100 common plants found in Hong Kong's urban areas and countryside. These plants, which grow year-round in parks, along sidewalks, and within campuses, are constantly around us yet often ignored. **Spring** After the cold winter, spring arrives, bringing warmth and reviving the earth. It's a season when many plants sprout and bloom, coinciding with the return of animal activity. This volume focuses on species that exhibit prominent flower colors during their spring blooming period, totaling 25 species in shades of purple, red, yellow, green, and white. It also includes one species with vibrant reddish-purple leaves, making a total of 26 species in this volume. **Summer** As summer arrives, many plants begin to bear fruit, evoking thoughts of the season's bounty. Therefore, in addition to 18 species that bloom in summer with flower colors including red, orange, yellow, green, white, and purple, this volume also features 7 species with noticeable fruit colors in shades of red, orange, yellow, and green, totaling 25 species. **Autumn** Autumn is the fruiting season for many plants. Thus, besides 8 species that bloom in autumn with flower colors in shades of yellow, green, white, purple, and red, this volume includes 17 species with distinct fruit colors in shades of yellow, green, black, and red, totaling 25 species. **Winter** Winter is the season when plant foliage color changes are most evident. This volume includes 8 species that bloom in winter with flower colors in shades of white, green, yellow, red, and purple; 9 fruiting species with fruit colors in shades of yellow, red, and orange; and 7 species with distinct leaf colors in shades of yellow and red, totaling 24 species. This book systematically uses the plants' most prominent colors (flower, fruit, or leaf color) as an index, allowing readers to easily find information even if they don't know the plant's name. With over 1,600 real-life photographs taken from various angles and focal lengths, combined with 3D plant models and 360-degree VR recordings of plants in their natural growth environments created by the Hu Hsiu-ying Herbarium, this book offers a fresh, digitally interactive way to learn about the plants around us. Based on rigorous botanical classification research, this work simplifies complex knowledge about common Hong Kong plants, serving as an introductory guide to botany. **Book Features:** How to Quickly Identify Plants: Divided into four volumes by season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter). Each volume is arranged by the most prominent color of each species (flower color, fruit color, or leaf color): purple, red, orange, yellow, green, white, or gray. This allows readers to conveniently find information on related species, offering a visual approach that replaces traditional scientific classification methods. What You'll Learn About Each Species: Each species is introduced across four pages, including: common Chinese and English names, scientific name, and family name; a concise description of the species' uses, ethnobotanical knowledge, etc.; and a list of "Basic Feature Information" detailing identification characteristics such as growth habit, shape, and color of leaves, flowers, and fruits. Each species is accompanied by numerous photographs taken from different angles and focal lengths, clearly showcasing the plant's structure, supplemented by concise captions explaining its growth characteristics and environment. Expand Your Vocabulary: Includes botanical terms in both Chinese and English, allowing for effortless learning of related vocabulary while understanding botany. Digital Interaction: Each species has a QR code linking to "Plants at CUHK" and "3D Plant Models." Through digital interactive media, readers can observe the ecological environment of the plants and the three-dimensional structure, size, and color of fruits and seeds. Take the time to understand these plants that share our land day after day. From strangers to friends, you'll discover countless lives in this concrete jungle that are worth protecting. ----------------------- "Hong Kong Seasons in Color – Botany Around Us" is a popular and informative popular science series. It documents 100 plants in Hong Kong, many of which are common on the Chinese University of Hong Kong campus, showcasing the beauty of our campus throughout the seasons. It also symbolizes the university's 60 years of building a beautiful campus, nurturing an educational environment, and serving society. **— Professor WONG Kam-po, Dean of the Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong** Unlike recent books on plants, this series is uniquely divided into four volumes based on seasonal colors, allowing readers to appreciate and learn about nearby plants through the lens of nature's palette. The books meticulously detail leaf, flower, and fruit characteristics, complemented by attractive photographs. The innovative use of QR codes to present three-dimensional images and virtual growth environment recordings brings the plants to life, as if readers are experiencing them firsthand. These elements significantly enhance the enjoyment of learning about and appreciating plants. **— Dr. LIU Kai-man, Chief Editor of "The Complete Book of Chinese Herbs in Hong Kong"** Authors: LIU Tai-wai, WONG Tin-hang, NG San-niang 3D Model Illustration: WONG Ho-lam ISBN: 9789882373051 Binding: Paperback Language: Traditional Chinese Dimensions: 260 x 190 x 38 mm **Author Biographies** **LIU Tai-wai / Author** Curator, Hu Hsiu-ying Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. A botanist, he has participated in numerous research projects on plant taxonomy, herbal medicine identification, and pharmacology, and is responsible for managing the "Hong Kong Plants and Vegetation" program. His research interests include local biodiversity, plant taxonomy, Chinese herbal medicine identification, and medicinal plant horticulture. **WONG Tin-hang / Author, Editor** Educational Manager, Hu Hsiu-ying 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 has extensive experience in STEAM education. He has participated in the establishment of the Hong Kong Plants and Vegetation database. Over the past decade, he has produced or participated in several large-scale popular science education platforms and programs, aiming to disseminate scientific knowledge about plants to the public through science communication. He is a member of the Hu Hsiu-ying Herbarium's "Botany STEAM Education Program." **NG San-niang / Author** Research Assistant, Hu Hsiu-ying Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. A graduate of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Since childhood, she has been curious about flora and fauna, enjoying exploring parks and wild hills. She loves to capture the beauty of nature through drawing and photography. At the herbarium, she engages in teaching and research related to plants. Believing that "a grain of sand contains a universe, a flower contains a paradise," she hopes this book will help the public and plant enthusiasts better understand and appreciate the plants that have always accompanied us. **WONG Ho-lam / 3D Model Illustrator** Research Associate, Hu Hsiu-ying Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Holds a Master of Science in Environmental Management from the University of Hong Kong. His daily work involves field observation and recording of plants, collection of plant specimens, and plant identification. His research focuses on using 3D technology to document the external structural characteristics of plant fruits and seeds 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.