臺北自來水園區環境教育中心生態類

無患子　Chinese Soap Berry or Soap-Nut Tree (Wuhuanzi)

Tue, 25 Aug 2015 16:00:00 GMT

無患子原生於臺灣低海拔闊葉林地，亦分布於中國華南、印度、日本中部以南等地。
無患子的果實富含皂素，只要置入水中，加以搓揉便會產生具有清潔功能的泡沫，能利用於各種清潔去汙之處；包括用來洗滌鍋具、衣服、頭髮、沐浴，甚至是珍珠黃金一類的珠寶等。因不含人造致癌物，會自然分解不汙染環境，可視為自然的清潔劑。
無患子為落葉喬木，樹型優美，秋冬之際，樹葉會全部落盡。在落葉前，葉子顏色會轉為鮮黃，極為美觀，因此常被種植為庭園景觀樹及行道樹。
The Chinese Soap Berry (Wuhuanzi) is originally from the low-elevation broadleaf forests of Taiwan, but has now spread over southern China, India, and southern Japan.
The fruit is rich in saponin, and when placed underwater and rubbed will produce cleansing foam, which can be used to clean pots and pans, clothes, the hair and body, and even jewelry such pearls and gold. Since it contains no man-made carcinogens, and it decomposes naturally without polluting the environment, it can be regarded as a natural detergent.
The Chinese Soap Berry is a deciduous tree with a beautiful appearance. Its leaves drop completely in autumn/winter, all turning bright yellow before withering. The aesthetics provided has made the Chinese Soap Berry popular as a garden tree and shade tree.

九芎　Subcostate Crape Myrtle (Jiuqiong)

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

九芎分布於臺灣全島平地及山麓、中國大陸、琉球等地。樹皮為紅褐色，剝落後呈灰白色，樹幹光滑堅硬。由於九芎的樹皮非常光滑且成片剝落，聽說連猴子爬上去都會滑下來，因此也稱為「猴溜」或「猴不爬」。九芎的木材質地緻密而堅韌，早期臺灣民間就已知取其通直的樹幹來做為房柱，且要以火將要埋入土中的木材基部烤焦，並形成一層薄炭包覆木材，讓白蟻或蛀蟲無法入侵。
The Subcostate Crape Myrtle (Jiuqiong) is seen everywhere in Taiwan, mainland China, and the Ryukyu Islands. The trees are red-brown outside and grey-white inside, with slippery and hard tree trunks. Since the bark is slippery and comes off in big flakes, it is said that even monkeys cannot successfully climb up the trees, and that's why they are also called "Monkeys Slip" (Houliu) or "Monkeys Don't Climb" (Houbupa). The Taiwanese knew in the early days that the tree's wood could be used to make pillars because of its strong quality and dense texture. They charcoaled the end of the wood extending into the ground with fire to make it termite- or borer-proof.

茄苳　Red Cedar or Autummn Maple Tree (Qiedong)

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

茄苳的木材耐水濕性強，可供作家具、建築、土木及水工用材，茄苳為雌雄異株，花很小，呈黃綠色。果實為暗褐色球形漿果，直徑1公分，內藏種子3~4粒；果實充分成熟時，味道甘甜可食用；果肉可釀酒。種子含油量 30~54%，可食用，也可作潤滑油。
茄苳是臺灣原生樹種，分布於臺灣低海拔地區，其樹型高大壯闊，成株胸徑可達一米以上。且樹冠面積大，對風及空氣污染抵抗力強，常種為庭院樹及行道樹種。
The wood of this tree is waterproof and humidity-resistant, and thus is very good for furniture and as a building material.It is also used in civil engineering and hydro-engineering. Red Cedar trees are dioecism plants. The flowers are tiny and in yellow-green color. The fruit are round dark-brown juicy fruit – 1cm in diameter and contains three to four seeds each. The fruit are edible when mature fully; the sarcocarp can be used to make wine. The seeds contain 30% to 54% oil, which is edible, suitable for making lubricant as well.
Red Cedar trees are indigenous to Taiwan, and grow in low-elevation regions. The trees are tall and huge; the mature ones can be 1m in diameter. The tree-crown is large as well. Since the trees have strong resistance against air wind and air pollution, they are commonly used as garden plants and shade trees.

白頭翁　Chinese Bulbul (Baitouwong)

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

白頭翁的額頭至頭頂為純黑色且富有光澤，兩眼上方至頭部後方為白色，形成一白色枕環，此白環在黑色的頭部非常醒目，老鳥的枕羽(後頭部)更加潔白。白頭翁活潑且不怕人，喜食昆蟲，種子和水果，屬雜食性。雄鳥胸部灰色較深，雌鳥淺淡；雄鳥頭部後面的白色極為清晰醒目。仔細聽聽林間的鳥叫聲，若聽到如「巧克力、巧克力」的聲音，可能就是白頭翁喔！
白頭翁喜歡將巢築在相思樹或榕樹上，平均壽命約10到15年。
Chinese Bulbuls (Baitouwong) have a shiny black forehead, and an eye-catching white disk-like area starting from above both eyes and extending to the back of the head. The older the birds are, the whiter the back of the head (also known as neck feathers). These bulbuls are cheery, and not afraid of humans. They are polyphagia, and prefer insects, seeds, and fruit. The males have grayer chests than the females, and the white neck feathers are rather bright. If one pays close attention toward the sounds in the woods, the bulbuls' sound is like 'Qiao-Ke-Li, Qiao-Ke-Li'.
Chinese Bulbuls like to build their nests on the Acacia confuse (Memory Tree) or the Chinese Banyan. Their average lifespan is between 10 and 15 years.

江某　Common Schefflera (Jiangmou)

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

江某的葉片是掌狀複葉，其葉子形狀很像有蹼的鴨腳趾或鵝掌，所以又稱為「鴨腳木」或「鵝掌柴」。江某的木材其白色髓心充實且細膩，臺灣早期常被當作火柴、木屐的原料。令人好奇的是為何稱之為「江某」，因為日據時代流行穿木屐，而木屐的雙腳沒有左右之分，人們常分不清楚左腳右腳，久而久之江某就成了不分「公母」的樹。（國語「江某」是閩南語發音「公母」的諧音）
冬天開花結果的江某，花朵並不具有香氣，但花含蜜量豐富，經常吸引許多蝴蝶、食蚜蠅、麗蠅等昆蟲聚集，是冬季很重要的蜜源植物，而果實也可彌補野鳥冬天食物的不足。
The Common Schefflera (pronounced Jiangmou in Mandarin) is also known as "Duck Foot Wood" (Yajiaomu) or "Goose Foot Wood" (Ezhangchai), because its leaves are palmately compound leaves with a shape like duck feet or goose feet. The core of the trees is white in color and substantial in texture, and therefore traditionally used to make matches and clogs. A question often posed is: why call it "Jiangmou?" This is because when Taiwan was under Japanese rule wearing clogs was a fashion, and since there's no distinction between left-foot and right-foot clogs, people couldn't tell which was which. As a result, Jiangmou became the trees having no distinction between "Gangmou". The term "Jiangmou" (Mandarin) is the assonance of the term "Gangmou" (Minnan dialect).
The Common Schefflera blossoms and bears fruit in winter. Although the flowers do not have a sweet smell, the rich nectar still attracts many insects, including butterflies, flower flies, blow flies, etc. They are very important nectar plants in winter, and their fruit also provides wild birds with extra food in winter.

九節木　Wild Coffee (Jiujiemu)

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

九節木耐陰性極強，喜歡溫暖多濕、陽光不強的環境，是臺灣闊葉林中普遍可見的野生植物，又名「山大刀」、「青龍吐霧」。
其枝條具有許多明顯的節，故名九節木。5到6月間於枝頂開白色或淺綠色的小花。根與葉可入藥，有清熱解毒，袪風去濕之效；可用來治感冒、喉痛、跌打損傷等。
九節木的果實近球形，於11到12月間成熟，為紅色或橘紅色，乾時會出現直稜。
Wild Coffee (Jiujiemu) has a very strong shade tolerance, and prefers a warm and wet environment without strong sunlight. It is a wild plant commonly seen in Taiwan's broadleaf forests. It is also known as "Mountain's Big Knife" (Shandadao) or "Green Dragon Throwing Up Fog" (Qinglongtuwu).
The branches and twigs have many nodes (jie), which is the origin of the Chinese name. The blossoms are tiny and white, may have light-green on the top, and flower in May and June. The roots and leaves have medicinal quality, e.g. detoxifying and dehumidifying, and therefore are used to cure the common cold, sour throat, bruises, etc.
The fruit is very round, ripens from November through December, is red or reddish orange, and has edges when dried.

薜荔　Climbing Fig or Creeping Fig (Bili)

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

薜（ㄅ一ˋ）荔在臺灣全島的平野至低海拔山區均可見到，中北部尤其多見。經常爬生於石壁、圍牆或樹幹上，藉著發達的氣根固定自己的身軀往上爬，爭取更多的陽光。人們經常分不清楚愛玉與薜荔的差異，愛玉葉子大而尖，薜荔的葉子則略小且形鈍；愛玉果實較大，呈長橢圓形或接近球形，表面散布白色斑點，薜荔果實則較小，呈倒圓錐形或球形，僅尾端有白色斑點。薜荔的成熟種子含溶於水的果膠，易形成半透明狀，或淺黃色的凝膠，也跟愛玉子一樣，可以搓揉出果膠製成果凍。
Climbing Figs (Bili) can be found everywhere in Taiwan, from the plains to low-elevation mountain regions, and especially in central and northern Taiwan. They generally use their aerial roots to firmly station themselves, and climb stone walls, fences, or tree trunks to receive more sunlight. People generally cannot tell the difference between Climbing Figs and Ficus pumila var. awkeotsang (Aiyu). The leaves of Aiyu are bigger and pointier, those of Climbing Figs smaller and blunt.Aiyu fruit are bigger and have a long, oval shape with white spots scattered on the surface, whereas those of Climbing Figs are smaller and reverse-conoid-shaped, with white spots appearing only on the tips. The mature seeds of Climbing Figs contain water-soluble pectin, readily producing a semiopaque or light-yellow gel used to make jelly, just like Aiyu seeds.

斯文豪氏攀蜥　Japalura Swinhonis (Siwenhaosi Panxi)

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

斯文豪氏攀蜥是臺灣特有種。背部底色以黃褐色為主；口腔外緣呈白色；背脊高，雄性具有較明顯之鬣鱗且喉垂較明顯，其體側黃綠色縱帶較雌性明顯，會對入侵的其他雄蜥展現如伏地挺身般的威嚇動作。全長可達31公分，尾長約佔全長三分之二，為目前臺灣攀蜥屬體型最大者。
斯文豪氏攀蜥棲息環境以樹林邊緣為主，樹叢旁的小徑，或是大樹樹幹上都不難發現其蹤跡。日行性的斯文豪氏攀蜥，主要以昆蟲或是其他小型無脊椎動物為食。
Japalura Swinhonis iguanas (Siwenhaosi Panxi) is an endemic Taiwan species. The color of their backs is mainly yellow-brown, the rim of the mouth is white, and the back of the body is high. The males have distinctive manes and dewlaps; the yellow-green belts on both sides of the male's bodies are more distinctive than those of the females. A male iguana will show certain threatening moves, similar to human beings doing push-ups, when another male is sighteds. The animal's full length can reach 31cm, with two-thirds taken up by the tail. The Japalura Swinhonis is today the largest iguana in Taiwan.
These iguanas mostly rest in the periphery of the woods, the small paths next to groves, or on big tree trunks. They are diurnal animals, and mainly feed on insects or other small invertebrates.

淡清雅波灰蝶　Jamides Celeno (Danqingyapo Huidie)

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

淡清雅波灰蝶普遍分布於平地至低、中海拔山區。其展翅寬約2.8到4公分，為臺灣產波紋小灰蝶類當中最大的一種。雄蝶翅膀表面為淡水青色；雌蝶翅膀表面的黑褐色斑紋較雄蝶發達，體型也較雄蝶為大。淡清雅波灰蝶的腹面具有波浪狀線條（雄性為白褐色而雌性為白色），肛角有黑斑，黑斑外緣有紅色邊。
Jamides Celeno butterflies (Danqingyapo Huidie) generally live from the plains all the way up to the low- and medium-elevation mountain regions. These butterflies are one of the largest Lampides boeticus in Taiwan – about 2.8 to 4cm when both wings are opened out. The color of the male's wings is light water-blue where the female's wings have more black-brown stripes; female's body build is bigger than that of the male. These butterflies' abdomens have wavy lines (white-brown for males and white for females), the tip of the anuses have black spots with red rims.

樟樹　Camphor Tree (Zhangshu)

Sun, 25 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

臺灣的山林，可說是樟樹的故鄉，長久以來，一直是臺灣最主要的造林及綠化樹種，因此樟樹巨木常見於各地。
樟樹為常綠喬木，葉子呈現橢圓或卵形，葉子表面亮綠、葉背粉白，其果實成熟時呈紫黑色，是鳥類的珍饈。灰褐深沉的老樹幹上，有著一道道縱裂紋的深溝，便是歲月刻下的痕跡；再配上翠綠的葉，一股剛毅的氣息，伴隨著樟腦香淡淡地散發出來。樟樹除可用來提煉樟腦及樟腦油外，也是良好的雕刻、建築、家具用材，亦具有防蟲效果。
The mountains and forests of Taiwan can be said to be the homeland of Camphor trees (Zhangshu), and for a long time camphor trees have been the major species used for afforestation and greenification. Gigantic camphor specimens are to be seen everywhere in Taiwan.
Camphor trees are evergreen arbors, with oval- or egg-shaped leaves that have a bright-green surface and a grayish-white back. Their fruit, which turns purple-black when mature, are a favorite with birds. On the old, grey tree trunks one finds myriad deep, vertical cracks "carved" by the passing years. Combined with their jade-green leaves, the trees "radiate" a resolute, steadfast ambiance, with the slight aroma of camphor. In addition to their use in making camphor and camphor oil, the trees are also excellent for carving, building, and furniture; the wood is insect-proof.

血桐　Macaranga (Xietong)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

血桐的葉子形狀似小象的耳朵，也似盾牌狀，太陽轉動到哪裡血桐的葉也跟著轉動到哪裡。而當血桐的樹幹受損或斷裂時，緩緩流出白色乳汁，起先並不顯眼，但流出的樹液及髓心周圍經氧化後會轉變成血紅色，像流血一樣，故而得名。
血桐的葉子可作為動物的飼料，而木材材質輕軟則可供作建材、火柴及火柴盒之用。
血桐的果實成熟時裂開，裡面有三顆黑油油的種子。松鼠和鳥類都愛吃，臺灣黑星小灰蝶更以血桐的果實為食餌。
The leaves of the Macaranga (Xietong) look like the ears of a baby elephant or the shape of a shield, and are always facing the sun. When the branches are damaged or broken they leak white milk, which is not obvious at first, but with time both the white milk and the core turn red because of oxidation. The red color is like blood (xie), which is how the tree got its name.
The leaves can be used as animal feed; the light, soft wood is used for building materials, matches, and match boxes.

構樹　Common Paper Mulberry (Goushu)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

構樹有許多別名，如「楮樹」或「谷樹」，構樹整株均有其利用價值，早期養鹿人家常用它的嫩葉來餵養鹿，所以也俗稱「鹿仔樹」。構樹樹皮富含纖維是印製宣紙、棉紙及鈔票的好原料，植株整棵會分泌乳汁，可以製成糊料，乳汁乾燥後加工可製成金漆，也稱為奶樹。雌樹的圓形果實像叮噹般掛滿整株，橙紅的熟果可以食用，也能做成果醬。
構樹如同人一般有著男女的分別，雌雄異株，公樹的花是一根長條形的花束，形似毛毛蟲。母樹的花則是圓形的花球。
The Common Paper Mulberry (Goushu) has many aliases, including "Chushu" and "Gushu." In days of old deer herders fed their deer with the tender leaves, and so it is also called "Deer Tree" (Luzishu). The tree bark is rich in fiber, making it useful in making rice paper, cotton paper, and bank notes. The entire plant lactates, and the milk can be used to make paste, or dried and processed to make gold paint, giving rise to another name, "Milk Tree" (Naishu). The round fruit hang on the full female tree like jingles; the orange-red mature fruit are edible, and also suitable for making jam.
Like human beings, the Common Paper Mulberry has a male and female version, i.e. they are dioecious. The male flowers have a strip shape like a caterpillar; the female flowers are round like a ball.

赤腹松鼠　Red-Bellied Tree Squirrel (Chifu Songshu)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

赤腹松鼠為台灣最常見的松鼠，分布廣泛。腹部及四隻內側呈現赤紅色，尾毛澎鬆，呈黑棕色夾白毛，背部暗褐色。赤腹松鼠的眼睛大又圓，耳殼短圓型，因其尾毛澎大明顯，俗稱「膨鼠」。
清晨與黃昏為活動高峰，這段期間可見赤腹松鼠在樹林間跳躍，生性活潑好動。習慣把吃不完的食物埋在土裡儲存，但牠們常常忘記埋藏地點，而這些被埋在地下的種子，便有機會在隔年發芽，間接地幫助植物的散佈。在每年的春季，森林中赤腹松鼠喜愛的植物較為缺乏，此時，赤腹松鼠便會剝咬樹皮，將樹木的枝幹啃咬出一條條的痕跡。
Red-Bellied Tree Squirrels (Chifu Songshu) are the commonest squirrels in Taiwan. They have a red belly, red limbs (underneath), a fluffy dark-brown tail intermingled with white, and a dark-brown back. The eyes are big and round and the ears are short and round. Due to their fluffy tails, the squirrels are also called "Fluffy Mouse" (Pengchu).
They are usually active at dawn and dusk, and can be seen jumping and running within the woods. They have this habit of burying their "leftovers" underground, but they very often forget about it, and those underground seeds have the opportunity to sprout in the coming year, which indirectly help plants with their dissemination. In springtime when their favorite plants become insufficient to them, Red-Bellied Tree Squirrels will peel tree bark with their teeth, and nibble the trunks and branches and leave stripy marks on them.

蕨類　Ferns

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

蕨類的幼葉大都呈現卷曲狀，這也是辨認蕨類植物最簡易的方法。蕨類是一群具有維管束的孢子植物，不開花、沒有果實和種子，而且一般也沒有明顯的樹幹（莖），所以整個植株最顯著的部分就是葉子。與其他的植物相比，蕨類的葉子通常比較大，這是為了要在森林中主流植物的陰影下，捕捉到較多陽光之故。成熟的葉子背面可見孢子囊群，孢子是蕨類主要的繁殖及傳播工具，與高等植物的種子極為不同，它只有一個細胞大小，肉眼無法看見，通常孢子囊群位於蕨類成熟葉子的葉背，也是一項辨別蕨類的重要依據。
The spires of the fern, mostly curly, provide the simplest means of identification. Ferns are cryptogams, bearing bundles within. They do not blossom, bearing neither fruit nor seeds. Since they don't have distinct stalks, leaves become their most obvious feature. Their leaves are normally bigger than with other plants, enabling them to capture more sunlight even if growing under the shadow of "mainstream" plants in the forest. Sporangium clusters can be seen on the back of a mature fern leaf. The spores, a fern's major productive and spreading tools, are distinctively different from the seeds of advanced vegetation; i.e., a spore is as big as a single cell, which is invisible to the naked eye. The sporangium clusters on the back of mature fern leaves are hence another distinctive feature used for fern identification.

鉛山壁虎　Gekko Hokouensis (Qianshan Bihu)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

鉛山壁虎身軀長6公分，最大全長將近13公分；體背主要為褐色或深褐色；暗褐色與淺褐色規則分部的斑塊，由頸後延伸到尾部，是體背中央極明顯的特徵。
主要在夜間出沒於郊區房舍或樹林中，尾部極容易斷尾，以昆蟲及其他小型無脊椎動物為食。
鉛山壁虎是卵生動物，一次產下兩枚緊密相連的卵，且有聚集產卵的現象；觀音山涼亭中，有不少白色的鉛山壁虎卵聚集，可以抬頭找找看，鉛山壁虎的蛋藏在哪裡喔！
The body of a Gekko Hokouensis (Qianshan Bihu) is usually 6cm long; the full length can be nearly 13cm. The back of the body is mainly brown- or dark-brown, with dark-brown and light-brown spots lining the back from the neck to the tail, a distinctive feature.
These geckos mainly come out at night in suburban houses or woods. They have a very fragile tail, and feed on insects and small invertebrates.
Gekko Hokouensis are oviparous animals, lay two closely connected eggs, and prefer to lay eggs together as groups. There are a lot of white eggs inside the pavilion on the Guanyinshan. Lift up your head for a look.

榕樹　Chinese Banyan trees (Rongshu)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

榕樹的樹幹粗壯、樹皮光滑，有氣根從莖上垂下來，可用來幫助呼吸。榕樹生長快速且繁殖容易，榕樹對空氣汙染的抵抗力很強，常作為防風林、盆栽、行道樹或庭園美化用。

且榕樹有一特殊現象：纏勒現象，又稱絞殺，常見於熱帶雨林；臺灣地處副熱帶氣候區，天氣濕熱，纏勒現象也常見。纏勒植物的種子因為某些原因（如鳥類的排泄物、風吹、水流等因素），落在另一棵植物上，在適當的環境下種子開始成長，並向下不斷延伸氣根，吸收水分及養分。纏勒植物生長快速枝葉茂密，最後把原植物整個包圍起來，被纏勒的植物因四周受限不利生長而枯死。

Chinese Banyan trees (Rongshu) have thick trunks, smooth bark, and aerial roots hanging down that help them to breathe. They grow quickly and breed easily, and since they have good resistance against air pollution, they are often used in windbreak forests and as bonsai, shade trees, and garden plants.

Banyan trees exhibit a special phenomenon called "strangling," which is commonly seen in tropical rainforests. Taiwan is in the subtropical climate zone, where the weather is hot and humid, and where strangling is common as well. When the seed of a strangling plant falls on another plant due to bird droppings, wind, water, etc., and the environment is suitable, the seed starts to group and the aerial roots start to grow downward to absorb water and nutrients. These plants grow fast, and also have dense branch and leaf networks; the original plant is soon surrounded, and eventually withers.

稜果榕　Angular Fruit Fig or Hauil Fig Tree (Lingguorong)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

稜果榕是臺灣原生種植物，因果實表面有突起的稜，故稱為稜果榕。其莖的主幹粗且很堅硬，支持力強，可持續增高及加粗。
稜果榕也是獼猴、螞蟻、昆蟲、鳥類的最愛，動物吃完後不易消化，果實會隨著糞便排出，藉此媒介繁衍。
稜果榕有一些鑑定特徵：稜果榕葉為長橢圓狀或倒卵形。因為葉子較其他榕樹大，所以又名「大葉榕」；稜果榕的乳汁很多，輕輕的一劃或摘片葉子，就有很多乳白色的汁液流出；稜果榕的隱花果，有縱稜及灰白色斑點。
The Angular Fruit Fig (Lingguorong) is an indigenous Taiwan plant. The name comes from the angular fruit surface. The main trunk is thick and hard, allowing the trees to grow higher and thicker.
The fruit is a favorite of macaques, ants, insects, and birds. Since it is not easily digested, it passes through the digestive system and is contained within excrement, enabling the seed to "travel" and propagate.
There are certain features useful for identification: (1) The leaves are long and oval-shaped or reverse-egg-shaped. Since the leaves are bigger than tcommon banyan leaves, they are also called "Big-Leaf Banyan" (Dayerong). (2) They are rich in milk – one shallow cut or a pluck of a leaf will engender significant leakage of grey-white juice. (3) Vertical edges and grey-white spots cover the syconus.

梅花　Mume Plant or Japanese Apricot (Meihua)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

梅花開花期時花苞可忍耐一定程度的冰雪與低溫，一等到天氣轉晴，在最高溫度接近10℃時，經過三到五天即可綻放。梅花對土壤、肥料、溫度、水分和栽培管理都有很強的適應能力，有著這些優點，讓梅花能進駐各式園林農場，遍佈天下。
梅的果實：梅子，其鮮果不宜生食，未成熟的青梅質脆味酸，生吃會令人胃腸不適，但若經醃漬或加工即可做成梅乾、陳皮梅、脆梅等；也可以釀造成青梅酒、梅醋、梅醬等等，還能做食品中的香料。
梅子的果酸入胃就成鹼性，可以治療消化不良，吃多油膩食物，吃酸梅或喝酸梅湯能消除油膩、幫助消化。婦女懷孕害喜嘔心的症狀，可食用酸梅舒緩。喝烈酒時，在酒中泡上幾粒酸梅，也可溫和酒精。
During the flowering season the buds of Mume Plants (Meihua) can to a certain degree endure snow and low temperatures. Once the weather turns fine, and the highest temperatures approach 10℃, they flower within the next three to five days. Mume Plants are very adaptive in terms of soil, manure, temperature, water, and planting management, and can thus be planted just about anywhere and everywhere.
The fruit, plums, are not suitable for eating while still fresh and raw, and may cause discomfort in the stomach and intestine. The plums can be preserved or processed to make prunes, dried plum peels, crisp plums, or other edibles, or to make plum wine, plum vinegar, plum sauce, and even spices.
The fruit acids of the plums turn alkaline when entering the human stomach, and therefore can cure indigestion. If one consumes too much greasy food, having some sour plums or sweet-sour plum juice will help with digestion. Pregnant women can eat sour plums to ease their nausea. Putting a few sour plums into spirits moderates the alcohol.

烏桕　Chinese Tallow Tree (Wujiu)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

烏桕得名的由來，有一說法是因烏桕鳥喜歡吃其種子而獲名，另一種說法是因其樹老時根部中間最先腐爛形成「臼」狀，因而得名。秋冬時樹葉由綠轉黃，落葉前再轉為鮮紅色，每當風起吹動葉片搖擺，景緻頗為壯觀。
烏?是全身上下都有用途的高經濟樹種，烏桕的木材質地較有彈性，適合做「陀螺」的材料；烏桕種子其白色的部分含有蠟油，可以做成蠟燭；黑色的部分處理後可以取得透明的清油，當成肥皂的原料；葉子可煉成黑色的染料等。另外，烏桕在製造生質柴油上相當有用，其所能產生的菜油量全球排行第三。
There are two possible stories behind the name "Wujiu": (1) birds called "Wujiu" like to eat their seeds, and (2) when the trees grow older, they become rotten from the center of their roots first, and the roots take the shape of a mortar (Jiu). During autumn/winter the tree's leaves turn from green to yellow, and then bright red before withering. When the wind blows and the red leaves are shaken loose the scene is stunning.
The Chinese Tallow is a species with high economic value. The wood is flexible, and especially suitable for making such items as spinning tops. The white part of the seed contains a liquid wax that can be used to make candles, whereas the black part can be processed to produce a transparent oil for making soap. The leaves can be refined to produce black dyes. The trees are also useful for producing biodiesel; the quantity of vegetable oil produced from the tree is No. 3 in the world.

月桃　Shell Ginger or Shell-flower (Yuetao)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

月桃在臺灣的分布很廣。其葉子很長，可達50到60公分以上，寬約5到10公分左右。月桃具有非常多的用途，莖葉部分富含纖維，常大量使用在食材上，葉片可用來裝墊糕粿等等的食物，包覆糯米做成粽子，甚至最近也被大量拿來當作花藝素材；其嫩莖也可作為薑的替代品。花期主要在5月至6月，月桃的花十分美麗，呈下垂狀的圓錐花序，苞片的末端具有美麗的桃紅色。
The Shell Ginger (Yuetao) can be found almost everywhere in Taiwan. The leaves are quite long, about 50 to 60cm, and are 5 to 10cm wide. The plants can be used in various ways: the stalks and leaves are rich in fiber and are edible, the leaves are used to cover pastries such as cakes, to wrap zongzi (glutinous-rice tamales), and even in floriculture. The stems can be used as substitutes for ginger. The flowering season is mainly May and June. The flowers are extremely beautiful with their downcast panicles and pink-colored bud-ends.

羅氏鹽膚木　Roxburgh Sumac (Luoshi Yanfumu)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

羅氏鹽膚木得名的由來是，其果實含有乳脂狀的物質，可代替食鹽食用，也是以往原住民野外的鹽份來源。果實長度為5到6毫米，呈扁球形，外部被毛，其果實於每年12月到隔年1月成熟，熟時為橙紅色。常於平地至中海拔開闊地河床、路邊發現到它的蹤影。其木材呈灰白色，質地輕軟，具光澤，原住民常用以製做耳環或其他器具。
The name "Luoshi Yanfumu" comes from the fact this tree's fruit contains a creamy substance traditionally used by Taiwan's aboriginal peoples as salt (yan) when away from their villages. The length of the fruit is 5 to 6 mm, the shape is round and flat, and the exterior is covered with hairs. The fruit ripens in December/January, turning red. The tree can be found from the plains to medium-elevation mountain areas, and grows in the open. The wood is grayish-white in color, light and soft in texture, with a luster that inspired aboriginal people to often use them to make earrings or other wares.

櫻花　Cherry Flowers (Yinghua)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

在消壓塔旁您可以看到八重櫻、山櫻花及吉野櫻群。但您若是前往自來水園區沿著自行車道，則可以看到「日本河津櫻」，這在臺灣算是比較罕見的櫻花品種，日本河津櫻是日本人移植臺灣山櫻花至九州種植，與當地大島櫻自然繁衍出的新品種，顏色粉白、花瓣較一般櫻花大。
自來水園區在歷經多次栽種失敗後，終於讓園內的各種櫻花開花。每年一、二月間，櫻花逐漸綻放，嬌豔的模樣美不勝收。櫻花的花季很短，每一朵櫻花在平均開放十天後，花朵隨即凋謝，所以要欣賞它的美景可要及時。
Blossoming by the Pressure Relief Tower are groups of Prunus Campanulata (Pachongying), Taiwan Cherry (Shanyinghua), and Prunus yedoensis cv. Yedcensis (Jiyeying). If one visits the Water Park via the bikeway, one can see the "Japanese Flowering Cherry" (Ribenhejinying), a rare species in Taiwan. The Japanese Flowering Cherry is a hybrid of the Taiwan Cherry and the Prunus lannesiana (Dadaoying) from Japan's Kyushu. The color is grayish-white, and the petals are bigger than those of common cherry flowers.
After several failed attempts, the Water Park finally succeeded in making all the types of cherry flowers planted on its grounds blossom, creating views of ethereal beauty.The cherry flowers start to blossom in January, and finish in February. Since the flowering season is rather short – 10 days on average for each flower – please arrange your visit in season if you wish to enjoy the views at their best.

月橘　Common Jasmine Orange (Yueju)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

月橘原產於亞洲南部，從印度、馬來西亞、菲律賓到澳洲都有其蹤跡。栽培處只要排水良好，日照充足，即可生育茂盛。
月橘的花能提煉芳香油，花及熟果可食用，曬乾後的花可泡茶飲用，其花因濃郁且獨特的香味，能飄散往遠處，故而有七里香之稱。月橘的葉對著陽光照，可以看到葉子顯現小小的圈圈，就是油滴，是用來儲存能量，將葉子搓揉有類似柑橘的味道；木材堅硬可作手杖、印章、農具及小刀柄...等，亦常人工栽培作綠籬之用。
The Common Jasmine Orange (Yueju) is originally from southern Asia; they can be found from India and Malaysia to the Philippines and even Australia. As long as the drainage is good, and sunlight is sufficient, they flourish.
The flowers can be used to produce aromatic oil; both the flowers and mature fruit are edible. The sun-dried flowers make excellent tea, and because the rich and unique fragrance can be smelled from a long distance, the flowers are also called "Seven-Mile Fragrance" (Qilixiang). If one holds a leaf and looks through it at the sun, one can see small circles on the leaf. These are oil droplets used to store energy; rub the leaves and the orange-like smell comes out. The tree's wood is hard enough to make walking sticks, seals, agricultural utensils, knife handles, etc. The tree also cultivated for hedgerows.

水黃皮　Poongaoil Pongamia or Poonga-oil Tree (Shuihuangpi)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

水黃皮的根系深，非常能耐風、耐鹽性特強，環境適應力強，故稱「九重吹」，也因樹性強健、耐乾旱、耐空氣汙染的特性，讓它成為防風林、行道樹及公園中常栽種的綠化樹種。
Poongaoil Pongamia trees (Shuihuangpi) have deep roots, and have strong endurance against wind and salt. They are therefore also called "Nine-Storied Wind" (Jiuchongfeng). Moreover, due to their strength and endurance against drought and air pollution, they are often used in windbreak forests, as shade trees, and as greening trees in parks.
Wild Poongaoil Pongamia primarily grow alongside rivers and creeks. Their fruit, which can float and be spread by water, are also called "Water-Flowed Beans" or "Wild Beans." The color of the tree's flowers is an elegant light-purple; they blossom at the beginning of summer or autumn. The fruits are flat and shaped like a long oval-shaped knife, and the pericarp is notably lignified, without any sarcocarp. The seeds and roots are poisonous, and will cause nausea and vomiting, giving rise to their use as an emetic.

小觀音山生態步道　Little Guanyinshan Ecological Trail

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:00:00 GMT

小觀音山標高45.5公尺，主要由三個山丘所組成，因南麓「寶藏巖」廟供奉觀音而得名。由於臨新店溪畔形成天然邊界，早年是臺北盆地南區邊陲自衛據點，設置鼓亭作為瞭望警示之用。因一直被劃為軍事管制區，開發少，且水資源豐富，山區保存了極自然的生態體系，是臺北地區除芝山岩外，另一處保有原生林相的稀有林區。
由自來水博物館旁之登山入口沿木棧道進入，途經消壓塔、觀景平臺、管材雕塑區。沿著水園區的車道往上從右側進入石梯，途經涼亭、小觀音山蓄水池。環山一周，全程約600公尺，步行約30分鐘，林間氣候涼爽宜人，能觀賞多樣繁盛的動植物。
The Little Mt. Guanyin (Little Guanyinshan) is 45.5m high, and consists of three main hills. The name "Guanyin" is from the Guanyin Bodhisattva enshrined and worshipped in the Baozangyan Temple at the foot of the southern hill. Since the Xindianxi flowing alongside forms a natural border, in days of old Guanyinshan served as a self-defense stronghold on the southern frontier area of the Taipei Basin. A drum pavilion was built for use as a lookout and for the sounding of alarms. Due to the fact that the mountain has in recent times been a military control zone, the lack of development and rich water resources have enabled the preservation of a predominantly natural ecological system, which is, beside Zhishanyan, Taipei's another rare forest displaying an indigenous forest form.
Entering from the hiking trail beside the Museum of Drinking Water, the footway goes through the Pressure Relief Tower, a sightseeing platform, , and the Pipe Sculpture Area, or ascending alongside the driveway of the Water Park then turning right to the stone stairwell. The latter route goes through a pavilion and the Guanyinshan Reservior. It takes about 30 minutes on foot to circle the mountain – approximately 600m. The climate is usually cool and pleasant, and there are a variety of animals and plants to be seen.

臺北自來水園區 環境教育中心生態類

無患子 Chinese Soap Berry or Soap-Nut Tree (Wuhuanzi)

九芎 Subcostate Crape Myrtle (Jiuqiong)

茄苳 Red Cedar or Autummn Maple Tree (Qiedong)

白頭翁 Chinese Bulbul (Baitouwong)

江某 Common Schefflera (Jiangmou)

九節木 Wild Coffee (Jiujiemu)

薜荔 Climbing Fig or Creeping Fig (Bili)

斯文豪氏攀蜥 Japalura Swinhonis (Siwenhaosi Panxi)

淡清雅波灰蝶 Jamides Celeno (Danqingyapo Huidie)

樟樹 Camphor Tree (Zhangshu)

血桐 Macaranga (Xietong)

構樹 Common Paper Mulberry (Goushu)

赤腹松鼠 Red-Bellied Tree Squirrel (Chifu Songshu)

蕨類 Ferns

鉛山壁虎 Gekko Hokouensis (Qianshan Bihu)

榕樹 Chinese Banyan trees (Rongshu)

稜果榕 Angular Fruit Fig or Hauil Fig Tree (Lingguorong)

梅花 Mume Plant or Japanese Apricot (Meihua)

烏桕 Chinese Tallow Tree (Wujiu)

月桃 Shell Ginger or Shell-flower (Yuetao)

羅氏鹽膚木 Roxburgh Sumac (Luoshi Yanfumu)

櫻花 Cherry Flowers (Yinghua)

月橘 Common Jasmine Orange (Yueju)

水黃皮 Poongaoil Pongamia or Poonga-oil Tree (Shuihuangpi)

小觀音山生態步道 Little Guanyinshan Ecological Trail

臺北自來水園區環境教育中心生態類

無患子　Chinese Soap Berry or Soap-Nut Tree (Wuhuanzi)

九芎　Subcostate Crape Myrtle (Jiuqiong)

茄苳　Red Cedar or Autummn Maple Tree (Qiedong)

白頭翁　Chinese Bulbul (Baitouwong)

江某　Common Schefflera (Jiangmou)

九節木　Wild Coffee (Jiujiemu)

薜荔　Climbing Fig or Creeping Fig (Bili)

斯文豪氏攀蜥　Japalura Swinhonis (Siwenhaosi Panxi)

淡清雅波灰蝶　Jamides Celeno (Danqingyapo Huidie)

樟樹　Camphor Tree (Zhangshu)

血桐　Macaranga (Xietong)

構樹　Common Paper Mulberry (Goushu)

赤腹松鼠　Red-Bellied Tree Squirrel (Chifu Songshu)

蕨類　Ferns

鉛山壁虎　Gekko Hokouensis (Qianshan Bihu)

榕樹　Chinese Banyan trees (Rongshu)

稜果榕　Angular Fruit Fig or Hauil Fig Tree (Lingguorong)

梅花　Mume Plant or Japanese Apricot (Meihua)

烏桕　Chinese Tallow Tree (Wujiu)

月桃　Shell Ginger or Shell-flower (Yuetao)

羅氏鹽膚木　Roxburgh Sumac (Luoshi Yanfumu)

櫻花　Cherry Flowers (Yinghua)

月橘　Common Jasmine Orange (Yueju)

水黃皮　Poongaoil Pongamia or Poonga-oil Tree (Shuihuangpi)

小觀音山生態步道　Little Guanyinshan Ecological Trail