Azalea

Azalea in Full Bloom in March and April By courtesy of George C.K. Jor A sea of azaleas outside the University Administration Building

The most famous plant on the Chinese University campus is perhaps the azalea. When they bloom in March and April, bundles of purple, white and red dazzle with their brilliance in almost every corner of the campus. The azalea belongs to the Ericaceae family, the same family as the fuchsia. A native of warm temperate zones in Asia, Europe, and North America, azaleas are widely scattered the world over. There are 850 wild species, over 600 of which can be found in China. Some can be used in medicine, such as the red azalea which is said to detoxify, clear heat, dissolve phlegm and cure coughs. Nepal has chosen the tree-like azalea (Rhododendron arboretum) of the Himalayas as its national flower. The white azalea discovered locally is named the Hong Kong Azalea. Wild azaleas are protected by law and picking is prohibited. Species on campus include the red azalea, the white azalea, the Hong Kong azalea, and the Farrers azalea.

Extracted from 'CUHK Campus --- Trees on Campus', Chinese University Bulletin Spring/Autumn 2005
http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/puo/bulletin/issue200501/English/tree.htm

White azaleas

Farrer azaleas