Tales, Legends, and History of Huilan (Hualien) Rambling around the Towns Humanistic Heritages Extended Readings
 
 
  Natural Ecology Tourist Attractions and Scenic SpotsLocal Specialties    
 


 
Nameof Topography: Hualien Coast Plain and Meilum Terrace
Category of Topography: Alluvial Plain, Terrace
 
Brief Introduction to Topography of Town:
Hualien City is on the eastern coast of the island of Taiwan , facing the Pacific Ocean on the east, and bordering on the Central Mountains , the backbone of the island of Taiwan , on the west. It is also the biggest city in
the eastern part of Taiwan . The administrative district of the city is mainly on the alluvial plain of Hualien River and its tributaries Mugua River and Meilun River . Therefore, the whole area is very flat, with an average of about only twenty meters above sea level. In the northern part of the elevated coastal plain is the fault-elevated Meilun Terrace. Besides this, the more obvious topographic features are Meilun Mountain and Huakang Hill, presumably the results of faulting and erosion. Meilun River has its source in the Central Mountains , combining Meichi River on its way through the city, and flows into the Pacific Ocean near Hualien Harbor . It is the vein of life of Hualien City .
 
Geological Category of Town: Pleistocene Conglomeratic Stratum
Meilun Mountain is an elevated hill of massive rock.
Hualien City is on a coastal plain of tertiary pedestal rock strata.
 
Brief Introduction to Geology of Town:
The city is located near the northern tip of the extended land area of the contact suture zone between the Eurasia Plate and Philippine Sea Plate. Meilun Fault, an active fault, is the evidence of vigorous plate movements. The surface of this area consists mainly of the alluvial layer, a combination of conglomeratic layer of Pleistocene gravel and sand and Holocene gravel, sand, and clay. The Pleistocene conglomeratic stratum exists mainly in the Meilun Terrace area, and is also called Meilum conglomeratic layer, an alluvial layer of shallow sea facies. Meilun Mountain and Chilaibi Cape are examples of fine outcrops. The Holocene alluvial layer spreads through the whole city, and is the main geological feature of the city. It is a mixture of loose sand, gravel, mud, and clay. It is an alluvium of sea and river facies, formed through the functions of lifting and elevation.
 
Source of Data:

◎Wang Yuan, Yang Chao-nan, and Chen Wen-shan (1991).
A 1/50,000 Illustration of the Geology of Tawain—Hualien.
◎ Central Geological Survey, Ministry of Economics

top　
 
 
 
Name of Plant: Linden (Ficus veligiosa)

Other Names:
Sacred Tree, Tree of Thoughts, Peepul Tree, Indian Linden, Tree of Realization,
Tree of Tao, Tree of Tao's Place, Buddha Tree.

Family of Plant: Moraceae

 

Brief Introduction:

Linden is a big deciduous tree of the moraceae family, originated in India . The leaf is dark green, with a smooth and bright surface, reticulate vein, and a long petiole, cordate and entire in shape, with a long tail of about 5-15 centimeters at the tip. In July or August, pairs of distichous spheroids appear on the twigs, and they are the binate global syneonium fruits of the tree. They are purple when ripe, and contain many granular flowers. When they are ripe, there will be dark purple spots on the surface. They fall to the ground, and many birds eat them. The tree is now the County Tree of Hualien.
Linden is the County Tree of Hualien
 
 
Sources of Data:
http://www.hl.gov.tw/homepage/
Taipei : Big Tree Culture, 1994, p.26.
top　
 
 

Name of Plant: Cassia fistula

Other Name: Golden shower

Name of Town: Fenglin Town

Name of County: Hualien County

Family of Plant: Caesalpiniaceae
Brief Introduction:

This is a big defoliate tree that can grow to be 10-20 meters high. The canopy is like an umbrella, and the bark is smooth. It blooms in May and June, with bunches of bright yellow flowers hanging on the branches, each bunch between 30-60 centimeters. The dark-brown pods contain seeds that are sweet and edible.

Cassia fistula blooms in bunches like butterflies, attracting a lot of attention.
 
Sources of Data:

Tsai Fu-kwei, Woody Plants for Watching, I. Vacation Publishing Company, September 1991, p.73

top　
 
 
Name of Plant: Acacia confuse

Family of Plant: Fahaceae

 

Brief Introduction:

Acacia is an evergreen tree, one of the major species used in forestation. It is commonly seen on the hills of low-altitude areas around Taiwan , and also one of the main species on Meilun Mountain . It was the most important material of charcoal in Taiwan in the earlier years. The sickle-shaped leaf is actually a pseudo-lamina of the swollen petiole. The pinnately compound leaf of the seedling is the real leaf. It blooms in late spring or early summer; a yellow flower ball consists of dozens of tiny flowers, and is very fragrant. When ripe, the flat pod will break, and brown seeds fall out.
 
Sources of Data:
Hualien Wildbird Association: Exploring Meilun Mountain: Ecological Views and Resources at Meilun Mountain , published by Hualien County Government, December 2001, p.23.
Information for Tree-Watching in Taiwan . Taipei : Big Tree Culture, 1994, p.59.
Acacia is a tree with yellow flowers that are clusters of tiny flowers with a special fragrance.
top　
 
 
Name of Plant: Lotus
Other Names: Water lily, Hibiscus mutabilis

Family of Plant: Nymphaeaceae

 

Brief Introduction:

The lotus is a perennial herb of the family nelim adans of family nymphaeaceae. The stem is subterranean, with obvious knots, rooting in mud. The stalk is upright, and the leaf is large. In summer the flowers bloom in pink, yellow, white, or light purple. The flowers are large, either tournesol or monopetalous. The seeds are black and hidden in the subterranean stems. The flowers are beautiful to watch, both the seeds and subterranean stems are edible, and the leaves can be used for packing. The lotus is now the County Flower of Hualien.
 Lotus is the County Flower of Hualien
 
Sources of Data:
http://www.hl.gov.tw/homepage/lotus.htm
top　
 
 
Name of Plant: Calophyllum inophyllum L
Other Names: Indiapoon beauty leaf, Gentleman tree

Family of Plant: Clusiaceae

 

Brief Introduction:

This is an evergreen tree of the family clusiaceae, and can be as tall as ten meters. The binate leaves are oval, with hard short petioles. In summer, white flowers of raceme inflorescene bloom, very fragrant, forming green global drupes later. The green drupes are round and lovely, like green marbles. They turn dark brown when ripe, and are sweet and edible. The green drupes are also edible when pickled in sugar. Children like to cut the fallen leaves into the shapes of airplanes and play with them. The tree is very strong, wind-resistent, xerophytic, and tolerant of salt and shade. Its growth is slow, but its life is long. The roots are straight, with very few lateral roots, so it rarely survives transplantation

 

 Flambyant tree blooms in summer, the season of graduation, signifying parting.
 
Sources of Data:
http://www.cdps.tpc.edu.tw/
http://www.soes.tp.edu.tw/
http://www.anjh.tn.edu.tw/
top　
 
 
Name of Plant: Koelreuteria henryi

Family of Plant: Spindaceae

 

Brief Introduction:

This is a defoliate tree of the family spindaceae, and an endemic species in Taiwan . The leaf is bipiunate pinnately compound with zigzag edges. With terminal panicle, it blooms in yellow in early autumn. The flowers later yield rosy fruits, reddening the twigs and branches. The fruit contains three red cloves, looking like a lantern-shaped capsule. The tree looks yellow when blooming, and rosy when the fruit is ripe.
Doelreuteria henryi bears bright yellow flowers in early autumn, which later become rosy fruits, reddening the branches and twigs.
Sources of Data:
Hualien Wildbird Association: Exploring Meilun Mountain: Ecological Views and Resources at Meilun Mountain , published by Hualien County Government, December 2001, p.33.
Information for Tree-Watching in Taiwan . Taipei : Big Tree Culture, 1994, p.75.
top　
 
 
Name of Plant: Macaranga tanarius

Family of Plant: Euphorbiaceaee

 

Brief Introduction:

This is an evergreen tree with fast growth and a short life. The alternate simple leaf is cordate and pelate, with bright yellow venation. The plant is dioecious and green, and the fruit is green, even when ripe. When the twig or branch breaks, the juice will turn red after oxidizing in air. It is therefore nicknamed Blood Tree.
 
Sources of Data:
Hualien Wildbird Association: Exploring Meilun Mountain: Ecological Views and Resources at Meilun Mountain , published by Hualien County Government, December 2001, p.31.
Information for Tree-Watching in Taiwan . Taipei : Big Tree Culture, 1994, p.25.



Macaranga tanarius is a tree whose branches or twigs, when broken, let out juice that looks red after oxidizing in the air. It is nicknamed “blood tree.”
top　
 
 
Name of Plant: Common Mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera)
Other Names: Deer's Tree, Halibun, Kalivon

Family of Plant: Moraceae

 

Brief Introduction:

The common mulberry is a defoliate tree of family moraceae. The surface of the leaf is rough, and the back is fuzzy. The leaf of the seedling is parted with cleavage. When the tree is mature, the leaf is cordate and ovate. The staminate flower is with oblong inflorescence, and the pistillate flower is globally arranged. In summer, the pistillate flower becomes sweet, juicy orange fruit, which is an important food for wild animals. The bark is tensile, and can be used for making high-quality paper. The tender leaves and twigs can be used to feed deer, and the tree is therefore nicknamed “Deer's Tree.”
Broussonetia papyrifera produces sweet and juicy orange fruits in summer.
  
 
Sources of Data:
Hualien Wildbird Association: Exploring Meilun Mountain: Ecological Views and Resources at Meilun Mountain , published by Hualien County Government, December 2001, p.28.
Information for Tree-Watching in Taiwan . Taipei : Big Tree Culture, 1994, p.35.
top　
 
 

Name of Plant: Alocasia macrorrhiza

Other Name: Calla Lily, Arum Lily, Gold Calla

Name of Town: Fenglin Town

Name of County: Hualien County

Family of Plant: Aracea
Brief Introduction:
his is a perennial herb, with short, big roots. The stalk is 30-80 centimeters, with a ring-shaped leaf scar. The pistillate flower is below, the staminate flower is on the top, and in between is a neutral flower. The whole plant is poisonous, with the root containing the stronger poison. When eaten, it can cause a burning pain in the mouth, throat, and stomach, sometimes even an itching throat and cardiac arrhythmia. When the juice touches the eye, it can cause a severe pain. The plant can be grown for watching, but be careful not to eat it or touch the juice. However, when mashed, the root can be applied to help soothe swellings.
Calla lily is like lotus on land. Sometimes the leaf can be used as umbrella.
 
Sources of Data:

http://www.contest.edu.tw/87/endshow/3/kk/arac/arac7.htm

top　
 
 
Name of Plant: Melia azedarach

Other Names: China-berry

Family of Plant: Meliaceae

 

Brief Introduction:

This is a defoliate tree that grows in low-altitude areas. The leaf is bipinnate pinnately compound. It blooms in spring with purple flowers that are very fragrant. The fruit turns yellow and ripens in autumn and becomes an important food for wild birds. The bark of the stem and root can be used to make anthelmintic to drive away eelworms from the body.




Melia azedarach (China berry) blooms in spring, with a lot of tiny, fragrant purple flowers.
Sources of Data:
Hualien Wildbird Association: Exploring Meilun Mountain: Ecological Views and Resources at Meilun Mountain , published by Hualien County Government, December 2001, p.36.
top　
 
 
Name of Plant: Iron Wood

Family of Plant: Fahaceae

 

Brief Introduction:

This is an evergreen tree, and one of the major species used in forestation in Taiwan . The heartwood is dark brown or deep purple, with beautiful veins. Because the wood is hard and heavy, it is named iron wood. It can be used in building, furniture, decoration, and sculpture. Tannin can be extracted from the bark and leaf. The leaf is also the food of catopsilia Pomona , a butterfly. The flower is yellow with five petals. The falling flowers in autumn form a magnificent view. The leaf can be made into a caccagogue, and the root can be made into anthelmintic.

Iron wood is hard and heavy like iron, and thus named.
 
Sources of Data:
Hualien Wildbird Association: Exploring Meilun Mountain: Ecological Views and Resources at Meilun Mountain , published by Hualien County Government, December 2001, p.28.
http://resources.ed.gov.hk/trees/
top　
 
 
Name of Plant: Sapium sebiferum

Family of Plant: Euphorbiaceae

 

Brief Introduction:

This is a beautiful defoliate tree. The leaf is diamond-shaped, with a tiny tip, like a miniature linden leaf, and turns yellow or red in autumn. With terminal raceme, the staminate flower blooms first, followed by the pistillate flower. The flowers are not conspicuous. The fruit is a near-round capsule, with waxy aril, which can be used as a material for making candles.

Sapium sebiferum is a beautiful tree, especially in autumn, when the leaves turn brown or red.
 
Sources of Data:
  ◎Hualien Wildbird Association: Exploring Meilun Mountain: Ecological Views and Resources at Meilun Mountain , published by Hualien County Government, December 2001, p.30.
◎ Information for Tree-Watching in Taiwan . Taipei : Big Tree Culture, 1994, p.25.
top　
 
 

Name of Animal: Zosterops japonica

Other Name: Japanese White-eye

Name of Town: Fenglin Town

Name of County: Hualien County

Family of Animal: Zosteropidae

Zosterops japonica (Japanese white-eye) makes soft, pleasant twitters.
 
Brief Introduction:

This is a resident bird commonly seen in forests in plain areas or low-altitude mountains, but has also been observed in areas as high as 1,000 meters. It can be found in gardens, schools, and parks in cities. The twittering is light, shivering, shrill, and pleasant. Its body length is about 11 centimeters. It is nicknamed “Green Whistle” because of its color and voice. It lives in groups, except in breeding season. It feeds on nectar, berries, and insects. It builds its bowl-shaped nest on branches with grass, and often covers the outside with spider-web and moss. It is a very delicate nest.

 
Sources of Data:

Chou Ta-ching and Hsie Chung-yu, A Map of the Wildbirds in Taiwan . Taichung : Morning Star, 2001, p.339.
http://taiwanbird.fhk.gov.tw/org/03dbase/date_a53/date_a53_word.htm

top　
 
 
Name of Animal: Great Whit Egret
Other Names: White Egret

Family of Animal: Aredeidae

 

Brief Introduction:

The plumage of the great white egret is snow-white all over the body. It is a big bird, almost twice as large as the little egret. The neck is quite extravagant: when it stands, it often shrinks the neck on the shoulder, like a bow. During the breeding season, aigrette grows below the neck and on the back, and sheds after the season. They have a nature of group nesting. The male and the female share the work of building the nest, incubating, and feeding the chicks.

The great white egret is a huge bird, often shrinking its neck on shoulders when standing.
 
Sources of Data:
Chang Wan-fu, Water-fowls in Taiwan . Taichung : Research Center of Environmental Technology , Tunghai University , 1983, p.18.
top　
 
 
Name of Animal: Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)

Other Names: White Egret

Family of Animal: Aredeidae

 

Brief Introduction:

This bird is white all over the body, with a pair of yellow claws of the egret genus. Aigrette grows on its chest and back. The aigrette on its chest swings like a fan, very pretty to watch. The breeding season is between March and August. It builds its nest on acacia, in bamboo forests, or on other trees. The birds nest and breed in large groups with night herons and cattle egrets, forming a spectacular “egret camp.”

The little egret is white, with a pair of yellow claws of the aredeidae family.
 
Sources of Data:
Chang Wan-fu, Water-fowls in Taiwan . Taichung : Research Center of Environmental Technology , Tunghai University , 1983, p.21.
top　
 
 
Name of Animal: Mulberry Longicorn (Apriona germari)

Other Names: Brown longicorn

Family of Animal: Creambycidae

 

Brief Introduction:

The larva of this insect feeds on mulberry worms, and it is therefore named mulberry longicorn. The body color is deep brown, with a pair of black-and-white feelers. The full-grown insects appear in summer, living in areas of plains or low-altitude mountains. They are between 36 -50mm in length.


Apriona germari feeds on mulberry worms, and is therefore nicknamed “mulberry longicorn.”
 
Sources of Data:
http://native.nhltc.edu.tw/theme92/mountain/worm4.htm
top　
 
 
Name of Animal: Bear Cicada

Family of Animal: Cicadidae

 

Brief Introduction:

The bear cicada is one of the most often seen or heard cicadas in Meilun Mountain . It is black, about 4-5 centimeters long, and often makes a lot of noise on trees.

 
Sources of Data:
Hualien Wildbird Association: Exploring Meilun Mountain: Ecological Views and Resources at Meilun Mountain , published by Hualien County Government, December 2001, p.93.
Bear cicada is black, about 4-5 centimeters long, very noisy in summer.
top　
 
 
Name of Animal: Locust (Chondracris rosea)

Family of Animal: Locustidae

 

Brief Introduction:

This is the biggest locust in Taiwan . The whole body is green. The female is 7-9 centimeters long, while the male is six centimeters long.

Chrondracris rosea, with its whole body green, is the largest locust in Taiwan
 
Sources of Data:
Hualien Wildbird Association: Exploring Meilun Mountain: Ecological Views and Resources at Meilun Mountain , published by Hualien County Government, December 2001, p.90.
top　
 
Copyright © 2004【Ministry of Education． National Central Library】AllRightsReserved.