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The evergreen plants Kalanchoe blossfeldiana and Crassula portulacea cv. Golum, better known respectively as florist kalanchoe and money tree - good for health and prosperity - are common house plants and members of the big clan of succulents. Both will be part of the displays at the forthcoming thematic exhibition at Hong Kong Park.
Colloquially known as "fleshy plants", succulents are full in form with some parts more thickened and fleshy to retain water in arid climates. More than 60 different plant families contain succulents and Cactaceae is one of them.
Native to Madagascar in Africa, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a commonly cultivated house plant. The plant has green, shiny and textured glossy foliage which stays green all year round, and a long flowering period from late December to May in the following year. Its common name, florist kalanchoe, comes from its long florescence and colourful blooms. Crassula portulacea cv. Golum, well-known as money tree, is native to South Africa. With its round trumpet-shaped apex and thick branches, this evergreen is common as a house plant worldwide.
Members of the public now have a chance to take a close look at these succulents at the thematic exhibition to be held at the Display Plant House of Forsgate Conservatory in Hong Kong Park under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) starting from tomorrow (December 21).
The exhibition will not only feature Kalanchoe blossfeldiana and Crassula portulacea cv. Golum, but also Kalanchoe tomentosa, another succulent plant native to Central America and Madagascar that wins the hearts of flower lovers with its furry leaves and brown-spotted tips, just like rabbit ears.
In addition to the display of about 80 species of succulents, the characteristics and cultivation methods of the succulents, as well as anti-pest measures, will also be showcased by means of display boards to provide comprehensive information for visitors. To further enhance public understanding of succulents, guided tours will be organised on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays between 1pm and 4pm from January 1 to 31. Tours will be organised every hour and will last for half an hour.
Park-goers are invited to visit the exhibition, which will be open to the public free of charge from 9am to 5pm daily from December 21 to January 31 next year at the Forsgate Conservatory of Hong Kong Park, 19 Cotton Tree Drive, Central. For details, please refer to the website: www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/parks/hkp/news/succulent_plants.html.
Ends/Sunday, December 20, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:00
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