Hong Kong croton

Taxobox
name = Hong Kong croton
status = CR

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image_caption = Hong Kong Croton (Flower)
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Malpighiales
familia = Euphorbiaceae
subfamilia = Crotonoideae
tribus = Crotoneae
genus = "Croton"
species = "C. hancei"
binomial = "Croton hancei"
binomial_authority = Benth.

Hong Kong croton ("Croton hancei") is an endemic species of croton to Tsing Yi Island, Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, it is a protected species under Forestry Regulations Cap. 96A.

It was discovered by H. F. Hance on Hong Kong Island in 1850s and published by botanist George Bentham as a new species in "Flora Hongkongensis" in 1861. The species has not been seen again until 21 February 1997, when staff of the Hong Kong Herbarium of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department found an unknown species on a steep slope woodland under the highest peak, Tsing Yi Peak, on the Tsing Yi Island. After confirmed by the experts from South China Institute of Botany, the species Hong Kong Croton was re-discovered for over a century.

The woodland is considered to be a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) of 1.05 hectares for the protection of the endemic Hong Kong croton.

ee also

*Croton
*List of Croton species

External links

*cite web|url=http://www.hkherbarium.net/Herbarium/html%20text/31Croton%20hancei%20.htm|title=Hong Kong Croton (Hong Kong Herbarium)|publisher=Hong Kong Herbarium|accessdate=2007-03-01
*cite web|url=http://www.hkherbarium.net/Herbarium/topics/Croton/croton_E.htm|title=Hong Kong Croton reappears in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Herbarium)|publisher=Hong Kong Herbarium|accessdate=2007-03-01
*cite web|url=http://www.hknature.net/chi/ecodiary/diary_64.html|title=Ecological Diary|publisher=hknature.net|accessdate=2007-03-01