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  • White-barred Clearwing - Synanthedon spheciformis - larvae inside Alder twig
    157411.jpg
  • White-barred Clearwing - Synanthedon spheciformis - larvae inside Alder twig
    157409.jpg
  • Red-tipped Clearwing - Synanthedon formicaeformis. Length 11-14mm. A fly-like, day-flying moth. Adult has mainly black body with red band on abdomen. Wings are mainly clear but note the red tips and red leading edge to forewing. Larva feeds in stems of sallows and willows. Widespread but commonest in southern England.
    157410.jpg
  • Great Barn, Old Basing, Hampshire
    133105.jpg
  • Traditional log-burning fire
    133014.jpg
  • Timber Frame Building
    132971.jpg
  • Wide angle view from operating cab of combine harvester
    154815.jpg
  • Wide angle view from operating cab of combine harvester
    154814.jpg
  • Wide angle view from operating cab of combine harvester
    154816.jpg
  • Wide angle view from operating cab of combine harvester
    154817.jpg
  • 17th century oak panelling
    132974.jpg
  • oak frame in 17th century cottage
    132973.jpg
  • oak floorboards and oak frame in 17th century cottage
    132972.jpg
  • oak frame in 17th century cottage
    132967.jpg
  • House Martin Delichon rubica L 12-13cm. Recognised by overall black-and-white appearance and striking white rump. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-black upperparts with white rump; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar but underparts are grubby and upperparts are duller. Voice Utters distinctive prrrt call in flight. Twittering song often delivered from overhead wires near nest. Status Locally common summer visitor. Typically constructs hemi-spherical mud nest under house eaves and overhangs, in loose colonies. On migration, often feeds on insects and congregates over freshwater.
    107454.jpg
  • Blackbird Turdus merula L 25-28cm. Familiar ground-dwelling bird. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has uniformly blackish plumage. Legs are dark but bill and eyering are yellow. 1st winter male is similar but bill is dark and eyering is dull. Adult and 1st winter female are brown, darkest on wings and tail, and palest on throat and streaked breast. Juvenile is similar to adult female but marked with pale spots. Voice Utters harsh and repeated tchak alarm call, often at dusk. Male has rich, fluty and varied song. Status Common and widespread in gardens, but in woodland, farmland and coasts. Upland birds move to lower levels in winter and migrants arrive from Europe.
    110126.jpg
  • Blackbird Turdus merula L 25-28cm. Familiar ground-dwelling bird. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has uniformly blackish plumage. Legs are dark but bill and eyering are yellow. 1st winter male is similar but bill is dark and eyering is dull. Adult and 1st winter female are brown, darkest on wings and tail, and palest on throat and streaked breast. Juvenile is similar to adult female but marked with pale spots. Voice Utters harsh and repeated tchak alarm call, often at dusk. Male has rich, fluty and varied song. Status Common and widespread in gardens, but in woodland, farmland and coasts. Upland birds move to lower levels in winter and migrants arrive from Europe.
    111327.jpg
  • Great Tit Parus major L 14-15cm. Bold, well-marked bird with distinctive song. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has white cheeks on otherwise black head; black throat continues as black line down centre of breast on otherwise yellow underparts. Upperparts are greenish and blue but note white wingbar. Adult female is similar but with narrower black line on breast. Juvenile is duller than adult. Voice Utters harsh tche-tche-tche alarm call. Song is variation on teecha-teecha-teecha theme. Status Common resident of lowland woodlands and gardens.
    113279.jpg
  • Great Tit Parus major L 14-15cm. Bold, well-marked bird with distinctive song. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has white cheeks on otherwise black head; black throat continues as black line down centre of breast on otherwise yellow underparts. Upperparts are greenish and blue but note white wingbar. Adult female is similar but with narrower black line on breast. Juvenile is duller than adult. Voice Utters harsh tche-tche-tche alarm call. Song is variation on teecha-teecha-teecha theme. Status Common resident of lowland woodlands and gardens.
    137005.jpg
  • Wide angle view from operating cab of combine harvester
    154818.jpg
  • Apples (Malus) About 25 species occur in northern temperate regions, although there are countless varieties and cultivars used for their highly important edible fruit and sometimes for their attractive blossom. They are hardy trees, growing in a variety of soils and climates, and some produce good-quality timber suitable for turnery. Most important fruiting varieties are propagated by grafting on to healthy stocks.
    133293.jpg
  • Hazel Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Length 13-17cm Nocturnal small mammal and an iconic conservation symbol. Mainly arboreal and hibernates in winter. Nests are made mainly from shredded Honeysuckle bark. Adult has mainly golden brown coat with paler throat and belly. Note the large, beady eyes and rounded ears. Feet have flexible toes, used when climbing; tail has coating of golden fur. Mainly silent. A woodland species. Thrives best where mature oaks, coppiced Hazel and Honeysuckle grow together. Local and threatened by habitat destruction and degradation.
    124339.jpg
  • Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros (L 14cm) has benefited from urban sprawl and indeed often thrives in areas where industrial dereliction prevails. It is a bold bird that perches conspicuously, quivering striking red tail in an obvious manner. Adult males are particularly striking, with slate-grey body plumage darkest on the face and breast. By comparison, female and immature birds are rather drab, with mainly grey-brown body plumage. In a strange way, the Black Redstart’s song sometimes match its surroundings and includes curious crackling, static-like phrases. Between 50 and 100 pairs attempt to nest here each year but the species is more numerous as a passage migrant and occasional winter visitor to south coasts.
    120053.jpg
  • Honey Bee - Apis mellifera
    160284.jpg
  • Honey Bee - Apis mellifera
    160283.jpg
  • Honey Bee - Apis mellifera
    160282.jpg
  • House Martin Delichon rubica L 12-13cm. Recognised by overall black-and-white appearance and striking white rump. Sexes are similar. Adult has mainly blue-black upperparts with white rump; underparts are white. Juvenile is similar but underparts are grubby and upperparts are duller. Voice Utters distinctive prrrt call in flight. Twittering song often delivered from overhead wires near nest. Status Locally common summer visitor. Typically constructs hemi-spherical mud nest under house eaves and overhangs, in loose colonies. On migration, often feeds on insects and congregates over freshwater.
    127175.jpg
  • Uroctea durandi - female. A large and unmistakable spider found on the underside of rocks in the Mediterranean. It lives inside a sturdy white domed web, hunting fom apertures at its edges.
    157134.jpg
  • Red Admiral - Vanessa atalanta. Upperwing - top, underwing - bottom. Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
    157039.jpg
  • Violet Helleborin -, Epipactis purpurata - var.rosea. Height to 75cm. Upright and clump-forming perennial with stems strongly violet-tinged. Similar to Broad-leaved Helleborine. Grows in shady woods, mostly under Beech on chalk soils. FLOWERS comprise rather narrow sepals and upper petals that are greenish white inside, and a heart-shaped whitish lip that is tinged purplish towards the centre; borne in spikes (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are narrow and parallel-sided. STATUS-Local, mainly S England.
    156688.jpg
  • VIOLET HELLEBORINE Epipactis purpurata (Orchidaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright and clump-forming perennial with stems strongly violet-tinged. Similar to Broad-leaved Helleborine. Grows in shady woods, mostly under Beech on chalk soils. FLOWERS comprise rather narrow sepals and upper petals that are greenish white inside, and a heart-shaped whitish lip that is tinged purplish towards the centre; borne in spikes (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are narrow and parallel-sided. STATUS-Local, mainly S England.
    156686.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154942.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154943.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154944.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154946.jpg
  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
    140940.jpg
  • Pink-barred Sallow Xanthia togata Length 19-21mm. A beautiful moth (the colours of autumn leaves) that rests with its wings spread flat. Adult has yellowish forewings overall, with a chestnut-brown central band and head end, and speckling of a similar colour. Larva feeds inside sallow catkins. Widespread throughout but commonest in southern and central Britain.
    140778.jpg
  • Pink-barred Sallow Xanthia togata Length 19-21mm. A beautiful moth (the colours of autumn leaves) that rests with its wings spread flat. Adult has yellowish forewings overall, with a chestnut-brown central band and head end, and speckling of a similar colour. Larva feeds inside sallow catkins. Widespread throughout but commonest in southern and central Britain.
    140777.jpg
  • Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana Wingspan 18-22mm. A distinctive and unmistakable moth. Adult has bright green forewings; at rest these are held flat creating a shield-like outline. Flies May-June. Larva feeds inside a rolled-up oak leaf. Widespread and common throughout much of the region.
    140737.jpg
  • Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana Wingspan 18-22mm. A distinctive and unmistakable moth. Adult has bright green forewings; at rest these are held flat creating a shield-like outline. Flies May-June. Larva feeds inside a rolled-up oak leaf. Widespread and common throughout much of the region.
    140736.jpg
  • Pink-barred Sallow Xanthia togata Length 19-21mm. A beautiful moth (the colours of autumn leaves) that rests with its wings spread flat. Adult has yellowish forewings overall, with a chestnut-brown central band and head end, and speckling of a similar colour. Larva feeds inside sallow catkins. Widespread throughout but commonest in southern and central Britain.
    140624.jpg
  • Frosted Orange Gortyna flavago Length 18-20mm. A beautifully patterned moth that rests with its wings held flat or in a tent-like manner. Adult has orange-brown wings with a yellowish central band and pale spots. Flies August-October. Laves feeds inside the stems of thistles and similar plants. Widespread but commonest in central and southern Britain.
    140491.jpg
  • Small Wainscot Chortodes pygmina Length 12-15mm. A small autumn-flying moth that rests with its wings held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown; the veins are darker than the wing ground colour. Flies August-September. Larva feeds inside stems of sedges. Widespread and locally common throughout Britain.
    140416.jpg
  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring. Comma Polygonia c-album Wingspan 45mm. Unmistakable butterfly with ragged-edged wing margins. Adult has orange-brown upperwings marked with dark spots; grey-brown underwings show a white ‘comma’ mark. Double-brooded and hibernates: seen on the wing March–April, and again August-October. Larva has tufts of spiny hairs and is orange-brown with a white dorsal band; feeds on Common Nettle, elms and Hop. Locally fairly common in England and Wales.
    137043.jpg
  • Small Magpie Eurrhypara hortulata Wingspan 25-28mm. A well-marked moth. Adult has black-and-white wings; the head, thorax and tip of the abdomen are flushed orange-yellow. Flies June-July. Larva feeds inside a rolled leaf of Common Nettle and other plants. Locally common in southern and central Britain but scarce elsewhere.
    137035.jpg
  • Hornet Moth Sesia apiformis Wingspan 35-45mm. Strikingly colourful day-flying moth that is passable mimic of a true Hornet, in terms of appearance and behaviour. Adult has yellow and black bands on body and orange-framed clear wings. Flies June-July. Larva burrows inside wood of Black Poplar. Pupal remains and newly-emerged adults are sometimes found on trunks. Local and mainly in southern and central England.
    134362.jpg
  • Hornet Moth Sesia apiformis Wingspan 35-45mm. Strikingly colourful day-flying moth that is passable mimic of a true Hornet, in terms of appearance and behaviour. Adult has yellow and black bands on body and orange-framed clear wings. Flies June-July. Larva burrows inside wood of Black Poplar. Pupal remains and newly-emerged adults are sometimes found on trunks. Local and mainly in southern and central England.
    134299.jpg
  • Lesser Spotted Catshark (Dogfish) Scyliorhinus caniculus egg case Length to 4cm<br />
Embryo inside egg case. Capsule small, relatively narrow and translucent; has long curling tendrils at corners, and may be found in small groups.
    142712.jpg
  • Fig Ficus carica (Moraceae) HEIGHT to 5m<br />
Deciduous tree with distinctive fruits and leaves. BARK Pale grey, smooth, sometimes with finer lines. BRANCHES Thick, forming a spreading domed crown. LEAVES Alternate, to 20cm long, on a 5–10cm petiole; deeply lobed, usually in 3 segments, sometimes 5. Feel rough and leathery with prominent veins on underside. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are hidden, produced inside pear-like fleshy receptacle that is almost closed at apex. This ripens in second year into a familiar fleshy, sweet-tasting fig. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to SW Asia, possibly also S and E Europe. Long cultivated in Britain, thriving in walled gardens
    135103.jpg
  • Fig Ficus carica (Moraceae) HEIGHT to 5m<br />
Deciduous tree with distinctive fruits and leaves. BARK Pale grey, smooth, sometimes with finer lines. BRANCHES Thick, forming a spreading domed crown. LEAVES Alternate, to 20cm long, on a 5–10cm petiole; deeply lobed, usually in 3 segments, sometimes 5. Feel rough and leathery with prominent veins on underside. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are hidden, produced inside pear-like fleshy receptacle that is almost closed at apex. This ripens in second year into a familiar fleshy, sweet-tasting fig. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to SW Asia, possibly also S and E Europe. Long cultivated in Britain, thriving in walled gardens
    135037.jpg
  • Foxglove Tree Paulownia tomentosa (Scrophulariaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. Small deciduous tree with an upright habit. BARK Smooth and grey. BRANCHES Mostly level. LEAVES Opposite and very broadly ovate with heart-shaped bases and tapering tips, often with forward-pointing side lobes. The upper surface is light green and hairy and the lower surface is grey-green and much more hairy. The petiole is about 15cm long, but may be as much as 45cm long, and is very downy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are borne in lax upright spikes about 30cm long; each flower is brown and downy in bud, but opens to become violet, with a yellowish tinge inside the corolla tube. There are 5 spreading lobes and the flower is about 6cm long. The fruit is a short-stalked, ovoid capsule about 5cm long with a tapering tip and glossy-green outer skin; it splits open to release many small, whitish, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the mountains of China, brought as an ornamental tree to Britain and Ireland, where it is often seen in large gardens and sometimes as a street tree.
    134820.jpg
  • Peach Prunus persica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Small, bushy and rounded deciduous tree. BARK Dark brown. BRANCHES Straight, with smooth, reddish, angular twigs. LEAVES Alternate, lanceolate, finely toothed, often creased into V-shape. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink flowers, to 4cm across, are usually solitary; open at same time as leaf buds; yellow-tipped anthers. Fruits is familiar peach, to 8cm long, rounded and downy, flushed pink; sweet, juicy flesh when ripe. Seed contained inside a woody, thickly ridged ‘stone’. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China but long cultivated elsewhere. Here, it does best in a walled garden.
    134548.jpg
  • Peach Prunus persica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Small, bushy and rounded deciduous tree. BARK Dark brown. BRANCHES Straight, with smooth, reddish, angular twigs. LEAVES Alternate, lanceolate, finely toothed, often creased into V-shape. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink flowers, to 4cm across, are usually solitary; open at same time as leaf buds; yellow-tipped anthers. Fruits is familiar peach, to 8cm long, rounded and downy, flushed pink; sweet, juicy flesh when ripe. Seed contained inside a woody, thickly ridged ‘stone’. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China but long cultivated elsewhere. Here, it does best in a walled garden.
    134529.jpg
  • Fig Ficus carica (Moraceae) HEIGHT to 5m<br />
Deciduous tree with distinctive fruits and leaves. BARK Pale grey, smooth, sometimes with finer lines. BRANCHES Thick, forming a spreading domed crown. LEAVES Alternate, to 20cm long, on a 5–10cm petiole; deeply lobed, usually in 3 segments, sometimes 5. Feel rough and leathery with prominent veins on underside. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are hidden, produced inside pear-like fleshy receptacle that is almost closed at apex. This ripens in second year into a familiar fleshy, sweet-tasting fig. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to SW Asia, possibly also S and E Europe. Long cultivated in Britain, thriving in walled gardens
    134443.jpg
  • Japanese White Pine Pinus parviflora (Height to 20m) similar to Weymouth Pine P. strobus. Has twisted needles, to 6cm long, blue-green outside and blue-white inside. Ovoid cones, to 7cm long, with tough scales. Native to Japan, planted here occasionally.
    134421.jpg
  • Chinese Fir Cunninghamia lanceolata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 25m. Broadly conical evergreen conifer with foliage recalling Monkey-puzzle (see p.34). BARK Reddish-brown, ridged with age. LEAVES Narrow strap-shaped, pointed and up to 6cm long; glossy green with 2 white bands below. Dead foliage persists inside crown; looks bright orange in sunlight. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are yellowish; in clusters at shoot tips. Cones rounded, scaly, 3-4cm across, green ripening brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China; planted here in large gardens, mainly in south and west.
    134418.jpg
  • Japanese White Pine Pinus parviflora (Height to 20m) similar to Weymouth Pine P. strobus. Has twisted needles, to 6cm long, blue-green outside and blue-white inside. Ovoid cones, to 7cm long, with tough scales. Native to Japan, planted here occasionally.
    134409.jpg
  • Fig Ficus carica (Moraceae) HEIGHT to 5m<br />
Deciduous tree with distinctive fruits and leaves. BARK Pale grey, smooth, sometimes with finer lines. BRANCHES Thick, forming a spreading domed crown. LEAVES Alternate, to 20cm long, on a 5–10cm petiole; deeply lobed, usually in 3 segments, sometimes 5. Feel rough and leathery with prominent veins on underside. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are hidden, produced inside pear-like fleshy receptacle that is almost closed at apex. This ripens in second year into a familiar fleshy, sweet-tasting fig. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to SW Asia, possibly also S and E Europe. Long cultivated in Britain, thriving in walled gardens
    133833.jpg
  • Peach Prunus persica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Small, bushy and rounded deciduous tree. BARK Dark brown. BRANCHES Straight, with smooth, reddish, angular twigs. LEAVES Alternate, lanceolate, finely toothed, often creased into V-shape. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink flowers, to 4cm across, are usually solitary; open at same time as leaf buds; yellow-tipped anthers. Fruits is familiar peach, to 8cm long, rounded and downy, flushed pink; sweet, juicy flesh when ripe. Seed contained inside a woody, thickly ridged ‘stone’. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China but long cultivated elsewhere. Here, it does best in a walled garden.
    133776.jpg
  • Peach Prunus persica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Small, bushy and rounded deciduous tree. BARK Dark brown. BRANCHES Straight, with smooth, reddish, angular twigs. LEAVES Alternate, lanceolate, finely toothed, often creased into V-shape. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink flowers, to 4cm across, are usually solitary; open at same time as leaf buds; yellow-tipped anthers. Fruits is familiar peach, to 8cm long, rounded and downy, flushed pink; sweet, juicy flesh when ripe. Seed contained inside a woody, thickly ridged ‘stone’. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China but long cultivated elsewhere. Here, it does best in a walled garden.
    133744.jpg
  • Laurustinus Viburnum tinus (Caprifoliaceae) HEIGHT to 7m<br />
Small evergreen tree with attractive glossy foliage and flowers produced freely in winter. BARK Brown. BRANCHES With faintly angled, slightly hairy twigs. LEAVES Opposite, to 10cm long and oval, sometimes lanceolate, with entire margins, a dark-green glossy upper surface and a paler, slightly hairy lower surface. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink and white flowers are borne in branched, rounded clusters, to 9cm across; individual flowers are about 8mm across with 5 petals, pink outside and white inside. Rounded fruits are about 8mm long and steel-blue when ripe. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Mediterranean region, but hardy and so widely planted here as a garden shrub or tree, also being used for hedging and shelter; naturalised occasionally.
    133343.jpg
  • Yellow Catalpa Catalpa ovata (Bignoniaceae) HEIGHT to 12m<br />
Very similar to Indian Bean Tree, best distinguished by comparing leaves. BARK Grey-brown and scaly. BRANCHES Spreading. LEAVES Dark-green and pentagonal with a short point on each corner; large, to 25cm in each direction, with a heart-shaped base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Off-white flowers, to 2.5cm across, are tinged yellow and are red-spotted inside; in spikes about 25cm long. The pod is about 25cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of China, introduced to our region for ornament and rarely seen outside parks and gardens.
    132945.jpg
  • Chinese Fir Cunninghamia lanceolata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 25m. Broadly conical evergreen conifer with foliage recalling Monkey-puzzle (see p.34). BARK Reddish-brown, ridged with age. LEAVES Narrow strap-shaped, pointed and up to 6cm long; glossy green with 2 white bands below. Dead foliage persists inside crown; looks bright orange in sunlight. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are yellowish; in clusters at shoot tips. Cones rounded, scaly, 3-4cm across, green ripening brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China; planted here in large gardens, mainly in south and west.
    132880.jpg
  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
    132715.jpg
  • Almond Prunus dulcis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
Small, open-crowned tree whose blossom appears early in spring. BARK Blackish, breaking into small oblong plates. BRANCHES Ascending, usually rather spiny with numerous thin twigs but many cultivars are regularly branched and lack spines. LEAVES Alternate, to 13cm long, finely toothed and folded lengthways. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink or white flowers are paired and almost sessile; open before leaves. 5 petals each to 2.5cm long, form cup-shaped flowers. Fruit is about 6cm long, flattened ovoid, covered with velvety green down with a tough fleshy layer below, inside which is ridged and pitted ‘stone’ that when cracked reveals edible almond seed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to central and SW Asia and N Africa, but long cultivated for seeds and flowers. In our region, it needs protection from harsh winter weather.
    132488.jpg
  • Laurustinus Viburnum tinus (Caprifoliaceae) HEIGHT to 7m<br />
Small evergreen tree with attractive glossy foliage and flowers produced freely in winter. BARK Brown. BRANCHES With faintly angled, slightly hairy twigs. LEAVES Opposite, to 10cm long and oval, sometimes lanceolate, with entire margins, a dark-green glossy upper surface and a paler, slightly hairy lower surface. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink and white flowers are borne in branched, rounded clusters, to 9cm across; individual flowers are about 8mm across with 5 petals, pink outside and white inside. Rounded fruits are about 8mm long and steel-blue when ripe. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Mediterranean region, but hardy and so widely planted here as a garden shrub or tree, also being used for hedging and shelter; naturalised occasionally.
    132444.jpg
  • Foxglove Tree Paulownia tomentosa (Scrophulariaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. Small deciduous tree with an upright habit. BARK Smooth and grey. BRANCHES Mostly level. LEAVES Opposite and very broadly ovate with heart-shaped bases and tapering tips, often with forward-pointing side lobes. The upper surface is light green and hairy and the lower surface is grey-green and much more hairy. The petiole is about 15cm long, but may be as much as 45cm long, and is very downy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are borne in lax upright spikes about 30cm long; each flower is brown and downy in bud, but opens to become violet, with a yellowish tinge inside the corolla tube. There are 5 spreading lobes and the flower is about 6cm long. The fruit is a short-stalked, ovoid capsule about 5cm long with a tapering tip and glossy-green outer skin; it splits open to release many small, whitish, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the mountains of China, brought as an ornamental tree to Britain and Ireland, where it is often seen in large gardens and sometimes as a street tree.
    120283.jpg
  • Almond Prunus dulcis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
Small, open-crowned tree whose blossom appears early in spring. BARK Blackish, breaking into small oblong plates. BRANCHES Ascending, usually rather spiny with numerous thin twigs but many cultivars are regularly branched and lack spines. LEAVES Alternate, to 13cm long, finely toothed and folded lengthways. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink or white flowers are paired and almost sessile; open before leaves. 5 petals each to 2.5cm long, form cup-shaped flowers. Fruit is about 6cm long, flattened ovoid, covered with velvety green down with a tough fleshy layer below, inside which is ridged and pitted ‘stone’ that when cracked reveals edible almond seed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to central and SW Asia and N Africa, but long cultivated for seeds and flowers. In our region, it needs protection from harsh winter weather.
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  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
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  • Fig Ficus carica (Moraceae) HEIGHT to 5m<br />
Deciduous tree with distinctive fruits and leaves. BARK Pale grey, smooth, sometimes with finer lines. BRANCHES Thick, forming a spreading domed crown. LEAVES Alternate, to 20cm long, on a 5–10cm petiole; deeply lobed, usually in 3 segments, sometimes 5. Feel rough and leathery with prominent veins on underside. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are hidden, produced inside pear-like fleshy receptacle that is almost closed at apex. This ripens in second year into a familiar fleshy, sweet-tasting fig. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to SW Asia, possibly also S and E Europe. Long cultivated in Britain, thriving in walled gardens
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  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
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  • BASTARD-TOADFLAX Thesium humifusum (Santalaceae) Prostrate. Low-growing plant of chalk grassland with sparse branches and a woody base. FLOWERS are cup-shaped and fused, white inside, yellowish green outside; 4 or 5 pointed lobes create a star-like appearance (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are greenish and ovoid. LEAVES are 5-15mm long, oval and yellowish green. STATUS-Extremely local and habitat-specific.
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  • VIOLET HELLEBORINE Epipactis purpurata (Orchidaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright and clump-forming perennial with stems strongly violet-tinged. Similar to Broad-leaved Helleborine. Grows in shady woods, mostly under Beech on chalk soils. FLOWERS comprise rather narrow sepals and upper petals that are greenish white inside, and a heart-shaped whitish lip that is tinged purplish towards the centre; borne in spikes (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are narrow and parallel-sided. STATUS-Local, mainly S England.
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  • VIOLET HELLEBORINE Epipactis purpurata (Orchidaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright and clump-forming perennial with stems strongly violet-tinged. Similar to Broad-leaved Helleborine. Grows in shady woods, mostly under Beech on chalk soils. FLOWERS comprise rather narrow sepals and upper petals that are greenish white inside, and a heart-shaped whitish lip that is tinged purplish towards the centre; borne in spikes (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are narrow and parallel-sided. STATUS-Local, mainly S England.
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  • VIOLET HELLEBORINE Epipactis purpurata (Orchidaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright and clump-forming perennial with stems strongly violet-tinged. Similar to Broad-leaved Helleborine. Grows in shady woods, mostly under Beech on chalk soils. FLOWERS comprise rather narrow sepals and upper petals that are greenish white inside, and a heart-shaped whitish lip that is tinged purplish towards the centre; borne in spikes (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are narrow and parallel-sided. STATUS-Local, mainly S England.
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  • HAIRY BUTTERCUP Ranunculus sardous (Ranunculaceae) Height to 40cm. Hairy annual of grassy places, especially near the coast. FLOWERS are 15-25mm across with 5 pale yellow petals and reflexed sepals (May-Oct). FRUITS have a green border inside which they are adorned with warts. LEAVES are divided into 3 lobed and mainly basal. STATUS-Local, mainly in the south and in coastal habitats.
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  • YELLOW-RATTLE Rhinanthus minor (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 45cm. Variable, upright and almost hairless annual that is semi-parasitic on the roots of other plants. The stems are stiff, 4-angled and often marked with dark spots and streaks. Grows in undisturbed meadows and stabilised dunes. FLOWERS are 10-20mm long, the corolla yellow, 2-lipped and somewhat tubular and straight, the 2 teeth on the upper lip are 1mm long; borne in spikes with triangular, toothed and leaf-like green bracts (May-Sep). FRUITS are inflated capsules inside which the ripe seeds do indeed rattle. LEAVES are oblong with rounded teeth. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • Red Admiral - Vanessa atalanta - larva. Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Violet Helleborin -, Epipactis purpurata - var.rosea. Height to 75cm. Upright and clump-forming perennial with stems strongly violet-tinged. Similar to Broad-leaved Helleborine. Grows in shady woods, mostly under Beech on chalk soils. FLOWERS comprise rather narrow sepals and upper petals that are greenish white inside, and a heart-shaped whitish lip that is tinged purplish towards the centre; borne in spikes (Aug-Sep). FRUITS are pear-shaped. LEAVES are narrow and parallel-sided. STATUS-Local, mainly S England.
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  • Herpyllus blackwalli - female. Common inside houses and is most often seen hunting on walls and ceilings at night.
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  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
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  • Almond Nut Prunus dulcis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
Small, open-crowned tree whose blossom appears early in spring. BARK Blackish, breaking into small oblong plates. BRANCHES Ascending, usually rather spiny with numerous thin twigs but many cultivars are regularly branched and lack spines. LEAVES Alternate, to 13cm long, finely toothed and folded lengthways. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink or white flowers are paired and almost sessile; open before leaves. 5 petals each to 2.5cm long, form cup-shaped flowers. Fruit is about 6cm long, flattened ovoid, covered with velvety green down with a tough fleshy layer below, inside which is ridged and pitted ‘stone’ that when cracked reveals edible almond seed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to central and SW Asia and N Africa, but long cultivated for seeds and flowers. In our region, it needs protection from harsh winter weather.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Green Oak Tortrix Tortrix viridana Wingspan 18-22mm. A distinctive and unmistakable moth. Adult has bright green forewings; at rest these are held flat creating a shield-like outline. Flies May-June. Larva feeds inside a rolled-up oak leaf. Widespread and common throughout much of the region.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Small Magpie Eurrhypara hortulata Wingspan 25-28mm. A well-marked moth. Adult has black-and-white wings; the head, thorax and tip of the abdomen are flushed orange-yellow. Flies June-July. Larva feeds inside a rolled leaf of Common Nettle and other plants. Locally common in southern and central Britain but scarce elsewhere.
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  • Small Rivulet Perizoma alchemillata Wingspan 15-18mm. A well-marked moth whose broadly-rounded forewings are held flat at rest. Adult has rusty-brown forewings with a broad, jagged white cross band, marked with two noticeable indentations. Flies June-July. Larva feeds inside the seeds of hemp-nettles. Widespread and locally common, least so in the north.
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  • Small Rivulet Perizoma alchemillata Wingspan 15-18mm. A well-marked moth whose broadly-rounded forewings are held flat at rest. Adult has rusty-brown forewings with a broad, jagged white cross band, marked with two noticeable indentations. Flies June-July. Larva feeds inside the seeds of hemp-nettles. Widespread and locally common, least so in the north.
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  • Small Wainscot Chortodes pygmina Length 12-15mm. A small autumn-flying moth that rests with its wings held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown; the veins are darker than the wing ground colour. Flies August-September. Larva feeds inside stems of sedges. Widespread and locally common throughout Britain.
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  • Frosted Orange Gortyna flavago Length 18-20mm. A beautifully patterned moth that rests with its wings held flat or in a tent-like manner. Adult has orange-brown wings with a yellowish central band and pale spots. Flies August-October. Laves feeds inside the stems of thistles and similar plants. Widespread but commonest in central and southern Britain.
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  • Small Wainscot Chortodes pygmina Length 12-15mm. A small autumn-flying moth that rests with its wings held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has forewings that range from buff to reddish-brown; the veins are darker than the wing ground colour. Flies August-September. Larva feeds inside stems of sedges. Widespread and locally common throughout Britain.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Hornet Moth Sesia apiformis Wingspan 35-45mm. Strikingly colourful day-flying moth that is passable mimic of a true Hornet, in terms of appearance and behaviour. Adult has yellow and black bands on body and orange-framed clear wings. Flies June-July. Larva burrows inside wood of Black Poplar. Pupal remains and newly-emerged adults are sometimes found on trunks. Local and mainly in southern and central England.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta Wingspan 60mm. An active, fast-flying butterfly that is also fond of basking in the sun. Adult has marbled dark-grey underwings and black upperwings with red bands and white spots. Commonest in July–August, but also seen in many other months. Larva is spiny and brown with yellow markings; feeds on Common Nettle, hidden inside ‘tent’ of woven-together leaves. Mainly a summer migrant from southern Europe, but adults hibernate in small numbers and emerge on sunny days in early spring.
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  • Small-headed Clingfish Apletodon dentatus Length to 4cm<br />
Small clingfish. In pools and sublittoral on rocky shores; sometimes inside bulbous Saccorhiza holdfasts. Easily overlooked: well camouflaged and often remains motionless when exposed. Adult has slender, rather flattened but angular body with pointed snout. Colour is variable: usually marbled greenish (sometimes reddish) with pale patches on back. Has dark patch at base of dorsal and anal fins. Anal fin lies below dorsal. Widespread but local in W and SW.
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