【明報專訊】Have you noticed that some trees are green all year long? There are two types of trees — evergreen and deciduous.

■Game １

Down

1. Snow slides off easily from pines' needle-like leaves. It prevents the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ from breaking.

2. Evergreens like firs (冷杉), pines (松樹) and spruces (雲杉) are resistant to cold. They are frequently used as _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ trees.

Across

3. Evergreens may grow to more than 100 feet _ _ _ _.

4. Evergreens are trees or bushes that have green leaves _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ the year.

5. Leaves of evergeen trees are usually needle-like or have waxy _ _ _ _ _ _ _ like holly (冬青). These features slow down moisture loss.

■Game 2

Hong Kong, though small in area, has a rich diversity of flora. Besides those representative of southern China, many varieties typical of the Southeast Asian tropical flora are also found as Hong Kong lies at the northern boundary of their distribution range. Over 3,300 species of vascular plants (維管束植物) have been recorded in Hong Kong, of which about 2,100 are native to the territory.

Can you match the plants native to Hong Kong on the left to their respective profiles on the right?

(see the picture)

1?Hong Kong Azalea 香港杜鵑?

2?Hong Kong Balsam 香港鳳仙?

3?Hong Kong Camellia 香港茶?

?A?It was discovered in Tai Po in 1925 and recognised as a new species in 1978. This species exists only in Hong Kong. It usually grows in damp spots.

?B?It is a slow growing evergreen tree native to Hong Kong. It was discovered on Victoria Peak in 1849. It blossoms from late autumn to spring.

?C?It was misidentified as a known species when it was discovered in Hong Kong in 1851. Not until 1930 was it recognised as a new species and named after Hong Kong. It can only be found in a few locations, such as Ma On Shan.

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

evergreen (adj / n)常綠的 / 常綠植物

deciduous (adj)(樹木)落葉的

waxy (adj) 似蠟的

moisture (n) 水分