Where the cottonwood grows

March is when the cotton trees put on a fiery show. Scientifically known as Bombax ceiba, they flower every February and March before the fruits in April and May turn Hong Kong into a Stranger Things set.

The tree is also known as the hero tree in honor of General Jibei of the Lizu people. Betrayed by one of his followers, the courageous hero met his end cut down by a hail of arrows on Five Finger Mountain. His body turned into a cotton tree and his blood transformed into scarlet flowers.

Whether you believe this myth or not, you can't argue that the flowers certainly make a heroic show.