Bauhinia Genome Presents: Bauhinia Watch

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Description

Hong Kong’s emblem is the beautiful Bauhinia flower and appears on the Hong Kong flag and currency. This is the flower of the orchid tree Bauhinia blakeana, which was first discovered in Hong Kong. What many people may not know is that it is a sterile hybrid, and how and why it ended up in Hong Kong is shrouded in mystery. It is thought that the species is likely a hybrid of two local species, Bauhinia variegata and Bauhinia purpurea, but this had yet to be confirmed at a genomic scale.

One of the best ways to help uncover the secrets of any organism is by understanding its genetic makeup. Genomics, sequencing of the genetic code of organisms, provides a complete look into the genetic complement of any species. It is also one of the key technologies that will define the 21st century. By bringing together the emblematic and mysterious Bauhinia flower and the power and knowledge of genome technology, we can build a bridge between science and community— enlightening our understanding of this plant’s interesting biology and informing and educating the public about this exciting and rapidly advancing field.

To build such a collaborative endeavor, BauhiniaGenome launched the Hong Kong genome project through which they sequenced the genome of the Hong Kong emblem to better understand where it came from; train local students to assemble and analyse the data — crucial skills needed for this field to advance; and engage the public through local pride.

Purpose

Linked to and providing phenotypic insight the Bauhinia Genome Project, Bauhinia Watch wants to record where Bauhinia are all around Hong Kong, what types there are, and when they’re flowering or producing seeds. It is thought that Bauhinia blakeana is likely a hybrid of two local species, Bauhinia variegata and Bauhinia purpurea, and this project provides a spotting guide for the three species, and also aims to collect information on the different times they flower and seed throughout the year. Potentially also reporting any cases of the elusive seeding ‘blakeana’ – an exciting scientific prospect that has been reported but never confirmed.

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