Incense Tree 土沉香

Aquilaria sinensis

Thymelaeaceae

Interesting Fact #1: Hong Kong - Named relates to a Tree

Our home “Hong Kong” is named after the Incense Tree, which in Cantonese literally means “Fragrant Harbour”. Hong Kong was once a harbor famous for exporting agarwood or other related products.

In recent years, illegal logging poses a threat to the population of the Incense Trees. They are regulated under the “Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance” (Cap. 586), and we should join hands to protect this valuable tree.

Video Clips of Incense Tree

Tree Label Design Showcase

References

Hong Kong Herbarium (2022). HK Plant Database: Aquilaria sinensis. Retrieved from 29 April 2022, from https://herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=6214

Hong Kong Herbarium (2022). Botanical Nomenclature: Aquilaria sinensis and origin of the name of Hong Kong. Retrieved from 29 April 2022, from https://www.herbarium.gov.hk/en/special-topics/botanical-nomenclature/botanical-nomenclature-detail/index-id-1.html

Lung Fu Shan Environmental Education Centre (n.d.). 【Ecology Codex】 The Origin of the Name Hong Kong. Retrieved from 29 April 2022, from https://lungfushan.hku.hk/en/content/%E3%80%90ecology-codex%E3%80%91-origin-name-hong-kong