Machilus chekiangensis

The tree grows 4–10 metres tall and is found in mixed broad-leaved forests. Its branchlets are smooth and hairless and show notable bud scale scars at the base. The leaves are oblanceolate-shaped, with a tapering base, often clustered near the tips of the branchlets. Young leaves are slightly hairy, but become glossy as they mature. The flowers grow in panicles at the base of new shoots. They are yellow-green with six small petals. The fruits are drupes that turns black when matured. Life cycle The species flowers in February, and fruits from April to May. == Ecology ==

The species is considered an soft-wooded, early-successional tree, noted for its rapid growth and preference for high light conditions. Its seeds are mainly dispersed by birds. In Hong Kong, members of the genus Machilus, such as M. chekiangensis, short-flowered machilus (M. breviflora), and many-nerved machilus (M. pauhoi), make up a significant proportion of secondary forests, where their establishment has limited the presence of species less adapted to low-light conditions. == Uses ==

Reforestation Due its fast growth, the species is frequently selected for reforestation projects, including initiatives carried out in 2009–2010. As its seedlings were not readily available on the market, they were propagated at the Tai Tong Nursery in Yuen Long for planting in country parks. == Gallery ==

File:Machilus_chekiangensis_02.jpg File:Machilus_chekiangensis_03.jpg == References ==