This beautifully illustrated guide presents a carefully curated collection of 20 plant species native to Hong Kong, with scientific, detailed illustrations and morphological descriptions, together with botanical references, all essential for species authentication.

Of the 20 species selected, 15 are precious, rare and endangered, or protected species, making this guide of special importance for plant preservation in Hong Kong, as well as for botanists, plant lovers, and illustrators. The botanical illustrations are all based on many years of field observation, plant dissection, vouchers and collected specimens of the Shiu-Ying Hu Herbarium at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and have been authenticated by professional botanists and illustrated by botanical artists.

This book is also a very useful reference for STEAM education, with a helpful guide that provides a variety of suggested activities for primary and secondary school teachers to use in their classrooms, helping teachers to organize classes in a way that encourages students' interest in science through the integration of plants, art and technology.

Dr David T. W. Lau (Author):Curator of the Shiu?Ying Hu Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Dr David T. W. Lau is a botanist who has been researching plant taxonomy, herbal authentication and pharmacology. He is now a curator of the Shiu?Ying Hu Herbarium in the School of Life Sciences at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and is responsible for managing the 'Hong Kong Flora and Vegetation' project. His research and education interests include plant taxonomy, biodiversity and Chinese medicine authentication.

Man?Ching Li (Author & Botanical Illustrator):Education Assistant, Shiu?Ying Hu Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Man?Ching Li graduated from the Department of Journalism and Communication, Chu Hai College of Higher Education, and is pursuing a Master's programme in Environmental Management at the University of Hong Kong. She is currently working at the Shiu?Ying Hu Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where her major roles include scientific illustration, the Botany STEAM Education Project, and botanical research studies.

Born in a small village, she was inspired by the vitality of the Clausena lansium (Lour.) Skeels in her front yard at a young age. Afterwards, she started to use plants as art themes to capture precious moments in nature. After joining the Herbarium team, she had the opportunity to encounter the scientific illustrations drawn by two top botanical artists, Mr. Xiao?Lian Zeng and Mr. Ping Ma, and realized the importance of scientific illustrations for plant identification. Through producing this illustrated book, she hopes to pass on their enthusiasm in the field of plant taxonomy.

Hiu?Yan Wong (Author & Botanical Illustrator):Education Assistant, Shiu?Ying Hu Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

After graduating as an Environmental Science major at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and participating in environmental education work while pursuing her studies, she is now working at the Shiu?Ying Hu Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Her job duties include scientific illustration, the botany STEAM education programme, and botanical research projects.

Nurtured by her grandmother, she developed an interest in folk medicinal and edible wild plants. After entering university, she enrolled in a course about plants in Hong Kong, where she realized there are different ways to appreciate and learn about plants. Later, she worked in a herbarium as an intern and encountered scientific illustrations. She was astonished by the manuscripts left behind by two top botanical artists, Mr. Xiao Lian Zeng and Mr. Ping Ma. The spirit of these two professional artists was revealed in the details and precision of their work, and this motivated her to continuously improve her different illustrations, dissections and photography skills, and to verify the drafts repeatedly with the team. She hopes that the spirit of the former illustrators will be passed on via this illustrated book.

Tin?Hang Wong (Editor & Education Consultant):Education Manager, Shiu?Ying Hu Herbarium, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Tin?Hang Wong graduated in 2000 from the Biology Department of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and works as a team member with the Botany STEAM Education Programme at the Shiu?Ying Hu Herbarium. Experienced in STEM education, he participated in establishing the Hong Kong Flora and Vegetation Web Database, and developed and participated in many Science Education platforms and schemes. Wong is honoured to help with editing this guide.