ROUTE 2: SURVEY OF TAI TAM CHARACTERISTICS PLANTS
Tai Tam Group of Reservoirs serves an important role of keeping the water flow clean and steady, mostly through the “work” of the mature woodlands. Violet Hill, for example, is renowned as “Plants Paradise”, where many rare species grow. Along this route, we will stroll by Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir and Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir—and no matter whether you are a plant enthusiast or not, you will be awed by the beauty of nature!
As its name suggests, the water gathering ground is constantly supplied with ample water—or at least moisture—in places as modest as a rock crevice. This microenvironment is good enough for many plants including this tiny yellowish flower suspended on a slender peduncle. The species is Small Yellow Bladderwort (Utricularia bifida), known as “earpick plant” in Chinese for its earpick-like fruits.
Anyone who has basic knowledge of biology should be aware that species with strikingly bright colours may actually convey a warning not to get close. We should never take the warning lightly. Even if it looks harmless, never be tempted to touch, smell or eat any plant (or animal) in the wild.
Here along the trail is a plant species named Dianella (Dianella ensifolia) which bears shiny bluish-purple berries, so much like the edible blueberries we know. The whole plant is highly toxic, and in the old days the fruits and leaves were crushed to make rat poison. Do not risk your life! Stay away from the beautiful plant!
During October to November, the landscape is adorned with numerous little round scarlet pearls dangling in the trees—they are the fruits of Rauping Photinia (Photinia raupingensis), an endemic tree of China.
The species is less common locally. It blossoms in early summer, crowning its canopy with sweet snowy white inflorescences.
You are now invited to meet a rare but seemingly lowly plant species—Hong Kong Loosestrife (Lysimachia alpestris), which grows close to the ground. The unassuming tuft is so tiny that even in bright yellow full bloom it is easily missed. The species of great botanical interest is confined to a few localities in Hong Kong as well as in Guangdong province.
Cherish the little flowers. Remember only to capture them on camera but never to pick them!
Tze Kong Bridge is a small concrete bridge that connects Violet Hill and The Twins. Below the bridge is Stanley West Catchwater, which transports stream water from The Twins to Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir. Here along the catchwater are the famous Hong Kong Gordonia (Polyspora axillaris), a common pioneer tree species in Hong Kong. The winter blossoming tree is best recognised by its flowers with large white crinkled petals embracing the many golden stamens in the centre; they rather resemble sunny side up eggs hanging from the branches.
The long but gentle walk from Tsz Kong Bridge to Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir is rather easy and well-enveloped by lush vegetation. The best part of it is that you will be rewarded by a magnificent view of the reservoir after emerging from the other end of the trail.
An observant eye will find that the crest of the Tai Tam Intermediate Reservoir Dam is slightly lowered—it is the spillway that leads overflowing water into Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir. You may take a short break here at the top of the dam, where the comforting breeze blows away the heat and too many worries.
Vegetation is of vital importance for the quality and quantity of water in the reservoir. Plants purify the water by absorbing or otherwise removing various pollutants, while dense canopies block direct sunlight to reduce water evaporation and stabilise water volumes.
Bordering Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir are numerous Ivy Trees (Schefflera heptaphylla), a very common native tree in Hong Kong. The species has a Chinese name “duck feet tree”, referring to the palmately compound leaves that look like a palm as well as a duck's webbed feet. The species is almost indispensable ecologically, as it is one of the few winter flowering plants that provide nectar for insects such as butterflies and bees in this season.
Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir surpasses all the others in the Tai Tam Group of Reservoirs in terms of surface area and capacity. Impoundment of the reservoir entailed the resettlement of the whole Tai Tam Tuk Village. It is probably not just a myth that when the reservoir dries up, the submerged village will be unveiled. Now of course nobody wants to see a reservoir in short of water!
Tai Tam Tuk Reservoir includes four masonry bridges. The most prominent is the one closest to Tai Tam Country Park West Entrance—the archaic “Three-Arch Bridge”. In fine weather when the water is calm, the arches and its own reflection on the water form complete circles, making it an irresistible hotspot for photography.
