Croton hancei, the Hong Kong croton, is a species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 of Croton

Croton (genus)

Croton is an extensive flowering plant genus in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, established by Carl Linnaeus in 1737. The plants of this genus were described and introduced to Europeans by Georg Eberhard Rumphius. The common names for this genus are rushfoil and croton, but the latter also...

which is endemic to Tsing Yi Island, Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

. In Hong Kong, it is a protected species under the Forestry Regulations Cap. 96A.

Croton hancei was discovered by H. F. Hance on Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong Island is an island in the southern part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It has a population of 1,289,500 and its population density is 16,390/km², as of 2008...

 in the 1850s and published by botanist George Bentham

George Bentham

George Bentham CMG FRS was an English botanist, characterized by Duane Isely as "the premier systematic botanist of the nineteenth century".- Formative years :...

 as a new species in Flora Hongkongensis in 1861. The species was not observed again until 21 February 1997, when staff of the Hong Kong Herbarium of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department , formerly Agriculture and Fisheries Department before 2001, of the Hong Kong Government is responsible for agriculture and fisheries in Hong Kong, conservation projects and issues, and managing the country parks and special areas...

 found an "unknown" species on a steep slope woodland under the highest peak, Tsing Yi Peak

Tsing Yi Peak

Tsing Yi Peak or Sam Chi Heung is a hill with three peaks occupying the southern half of the Tsing Yi Island, Hong Kong. The hill is situated on the western half of Victoria Harbour. Its peaks are good locations to observe the harbour and the channels among harbour islands...

, on Tsing Yi Island

Tsing Yi

Tsing Yi , or Tsing Yi Island is an island in the urban area of Hong Kong, to the northwest of Hong Kong Island and south of Tsuen Wan. With an area of 10.69 km², the island has extended drastically by reclamation along almost all its natural shore and the annexation of Nga Ying Chau and Chau...

. After confirmation by experts from the South China Institute of Botany, the Hong Kong Croton was re-discovered after a gap of over a century.

The woodland measuring 1.05 hectares (2.6 acre) is considered to be a Site of Special Scientific Interest

Site of Special Scientific Interest (Hong Kong)

Site of Special Scientific Interest or SSSI is a special area to protect wildlife, habitats and geographic features based on scientic interest in Hong Kong. Scientic interests are special features relating to animal life, plant life, geology and/or geography...

(SSSI) for the protection of the endemic Hong Kong croton.

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