The 200-species herb garden in Central's Zoological & Botanical Gardens, which has been serving the public for a decade, will see its collection enriched.

The herb garden is one of the seven thematic gardens inside the park. Located in the southern corner, it is one of the oldest herb gardens in Hong Kong.

More variety: The herb garden in Central's Zoological & Botanical Gardens, which already has more than 200 species, will see its collection enriched to include Paris polyphylla found on Tai Tung Shan, Lantau, among others.

To boost public understanding of Chinese medicine and herbs as well as to expand the herb garden's collection, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department is searching for more herb species in Hong Kong's countryside with Hong Kong Chinese Medical Research Institute Head Dr Li Ning-hon.

Herb-picking trips planned

Zoological & Botanical Gardens Manager Chiu Yuen-ying told news.gov.hk eight trips have been planned between February and April to collect herb species.

Conducted on Sundays, the outings cover Tai Long Wan to Chek Keng and Tai Wan to Sai Keng in Sai Kung; Tai Tung Shan to Nam Shan and Shek Pik to Tai O on Lantau; Yin Ngam in Tai Po; Tai Mo Shan to Ho Pui and Tai Mo Shan in Tsuen Wan; and Ma On Shan to Mui Tsz Lam.

About 30 people join the herb-picking trips each time, including Dr Li, department staff as well as professors and students studying Chinese medicine at Hong Kong, Chinese and Baptist Universities.

"We have collected about 140 Chinese herb species in five outings so far. In the trip from Tai Tung Shan to Nam Shan on Lantau in late February, we found a rare species Paris polyphylla," Mr Chiu said.

Paris polyphylla, or Love Apple in English, belongs to the Liliaceae family. According to the Hong Kong Herbarium, the herb has been classified "vulnerable" in the Mainland.

Usually found in forests and shaded wet places inside valleys, Love Apple is a perennial herb that grows abot  40 to 130cm tall, with rhizomes. Its five to 11 leaves have an oblong shape, and form a whorl. Flowers are usually a yellow-green colour.

Love Apple used for healing

Being an important folk medicinal herb, the Love Apple's rhizomes - or underground stems - are used for injuries from falls, fractures, bruises and strains. The characteristic terminal leafy-whorl makes it suitable for cultivation as an ornamental plant.

Herbs collected in the wild will be planted inside the herb garden after they get used to the park's environment, Mr Chiu added.

Inside the herb garden, visitors can find rare species, such as Ginkgo biloba and Mahonia fortunei.

Originating in the Mainland, Ginkgo biloba is sometimes known as the Maidenhair Tree. It is one of the best known examples of a living fossil and a unique tree with no close living relatives.

The kernels and leaves can be used for medicinal purposes, such as relieving asthma and boosting circulation. It also falls under Class I in the Catalogue of Wild Plants under Special State Protection in the Mainland.

Mahonia fortunei,  or Chinese Mahonia, is under the Berberidaceae family. Its roots, leaves and stems can be used to cure inflammation. Mahonia oiwakensis Hayata or Island Mahonia, another species within the family, is unique in Hong Kong and can be found only on Lantau's Tai Tung Shan.

Herbal beverages

The Herb Garden features Plumeria acutifolia (Common Fragipani) and Melicope pteleifolia (Thin Evodia). Flowers of the former are a common ingredient for Chinese herbal beverage "five-flower-tea" while leaves and roots of the latter are used in "24-taste-herb-tea".

Visitors can also find Mimosa pudica - the Sensitive Plant - inside the garden. Also known as Humble Plant, Shame Plant, Sleeping Grass and Touch-me-not, Mimosa pudica is native to Tropical America but commonly seen in Hong Kong. Its leaves fold together in the evening and re-open at sunrise. They will also fold when touched or even if the plant is shaken. As an herb, Mimosa pudica has a tranquilising effect.

To see some of the species available inside the herb garden, click here.

The Zoologcial & Botanical Gardens are located at Albany Road, Central. The Fountain Terrace Garden and other areas inside will open daily at 6am while the Green House opens at 9am. Admission is free.

Apart from the Herb Garden inside the park, visitors may also see more Chinese herbs at the Herbal Garden inside the Museum of Medical Sciences at 2 Caine Lane, Mid-Levels.

Those who like hiking can visit Lung Fu Shan Country Park, Hong Kong's newest country park, at the Peak where more than 100 Chinese herb species are housed.

People are urged to help protect the flora and fauna. Under the Forests & Countryside Ordinance, damaging plants in any forest or plantation on Government land is prohibited.

Some rare and attractive species that are subject to exploitation are specifically listed in the Forestry Regulations, which control the sale and possession of the listed species. For details, click here.