The Lunar New Year is near, and although real fireworks are forbidden for public use in Hong Kong, clusters of firecracker vine can be found in gardens, rural areas and the countryside, signifying a fresh year.

Firecracker vines are an exotic climbing vine, with a three-branched tendril. Its orange-red flowers are tube-shaped like firecrackers and narrow cylindrical capsules are formed after flowering. They are up to 30cm long and possess winged seeds.

Outside Hong Kong you can also find the species in Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, Fujian, Taiwan and Yunnan.