The forestry bureau has called on government agencies and private citizens to use indigenous forest plants for their gardening and landscape projects.
Taiwan boasts a high level of biodiversity, and 60% of the island is covered by forests. At a press conference on Tuesday, the bureau introduced 106 indigenous species recommended for use in landscaping.
Golden silk peaches, Taiwan Gordonias, Indigenous Cinnamon Trees, and Wulai azaleas are among the indigenous Taiwanese plants the government hopes to get more people planting. The leafy plants on the government’s list are not very tall, and they are suitable for placement on balconies.
Forestry Bureau head Lin Hwa-ching says one reason why Taiwan’s public spaces and streets are filled with non-native imports is that indigenous species have long been ignored.
But Lin says Taiwan has a wide variety of plants, with many of them suitable for gardens and urban landscaping projects. Some Taiwanese plants even have potential health benefits. Lin says each of the 106 indigenous plants on the government list has unique characteristics, and require little watering or sunshine.