Spider Tree
Common Name
:
Spider Tree
Chinese Name
:
樹頭菜
Scientific Name
:
Crateva unilocularis
Classification
:
Deciduous
Origin
:
South China and other tropical regions of Asia
Flowering Period
:
March to May in Hong Kong
About
Spider Trees are highly valued as an ornamental and street tree for their vibrant leaves and impressive, massive blossoms. When in bloom, densely arranged flowers hang from their branchlets. According to Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae, the locals in Yunnan's Shipeng and Jianshui pickle the young leaves in salt to eat. That is why Spider Tree is also known in Chinese as the "Vegetable Tree". Its wood can be used to make plates, musical instruments, models, and more, while the peels of its fruit serve as a dye.
Source: Greening, Landscape & Tree Management Section Development Bureau (greening.gov.hk)