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  • Neist Point Lighthouse on the Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides, Scotland
    161187.jpg
  • Dawn breaks at Morning Point Battery, The Garrison, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    156868.jpg
  • Dawn breaks at Morning Point Battery, The Garrison, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    156869.jpg
  • View from below Morning Point Battery looking towards Peninnis Head and Lighthouse, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    156870.jpg
  • Dawn from Tolman Point near Old Town Bay on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    155068.jpg
  • Dawn from Tolman Point near Old Town Bay on St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    155069.jpg
  • Looking up Glen Dee towards Ben Macdui and The Devil's Point, Cairngorm and Grampian Mountains, Scotland, Uk
    145526.jpg
  • Panoramic view looking up Glen Dee towards Ben Macdui and The Devil's Point, Cairngorm and Grampian Mountains, Scotland, Uk
    145569.jpg
  • Trig point at Garn Fawr fort looking towards Strumble Head on the Pembrokeshire coast, Wales, Uk
    145679.jpg
  • Trig point at Garn Fawr fort looking towards Strumble Head on the Pembrokeshire coast, Wales, Uk
    145678.jpg
  • Trig point at Garn Fawr fort looking towards Strumble Head on the Pembrokeshire coast, Wales, Uk
    145680.jpg
  • View across Old Town Bay from Carn Leh looking towards Tolman Point, St Mary's. Isles of Scilly
    159693.jpg
  • Panoramic view of White Horse Hill in Uffington, Oxfordshire, Uk
    154557.jpg
  • View from the top of Ben Macdui looking south along Glen Dee, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145515.jpg
  • Lone walker in Glen Dee with Ben MacDui in the background, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145527.jpg
  • Lone walker in Glen Dee with Ben MacDui in the background, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145528.jpg
  • Lone walker in Glen Dee with Ben MacDui in the background, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145529.jpg
  • Lone walker in Glen Dee with Ben MacDui in the background, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145530.jpg
  • Lone walker in Glen Dee with Ben MacDui in the background, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145531.jpg
  • Lone walker in Glen Dee with Ben MacDui in the background, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145532.jpg
  • Glen Dee with Ben MacDui in the background, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145534.jpg
  • Footpath leading through Glen Dee with Ben MacDui in the background, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145535.jpg
  • Footpath leading through Glen Dee with Ben MacDui in the background, Scottish Highlands, Uk
    145536.jpg
  • Garn Fawr Fort looking towards March Mawr near Strumble Head on the Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales, Uk
    145675.jpg
  • Garn Fawr Fort looking towards March Mawr near Strumble Head on the Pembrokeshire Coast, Wales, Uk
    145676.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    128326.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    128327.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    128328.jpg
  • Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus Length 2.2-3.2m Bulky seal with proportionately large head. Inquisitive in water. Hauls out for long periods. Adult is greyish overall with dark blotchy spots; fewer, larger spots than on Common Seal. Males are larger and darker than females. In profile, looks ‘Roman nosed’: bridge of nose is convex, more pronounced in males than females. From the front, nostrils are distinctly separated and more or less parallel to one another, not V-shaped. Fore flippers have sharp claws and hind flippers propel the animal through water. Pup is born with white fur; moulted after a few weeks.Voice Utters low, moaning calls. Often found on rocky shores and tolerates rough seas heavy waves. Widespread on west coast of Britain and locally in North Sea.
    128329.jpg
  • View across The Battery, St Mary's, Isles of Scilly
    163447.jpg
  • Crimean Lime Tilia x euclora (Height to 20m) is similar to Lime, but leaves are dark, shiny green above with reddish hairs in vein axils below. Flower clusters have 3–7 flowers and fruits are elliptical and pointed. A hybrid between Small-leaved Lime and T. dasystyla, planted because aphid numbers are low.
    134856.jpg
  • Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias - adult displaying at nest site
    160550.jpg
  • Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias - adult displaying at nest site
    160553.jpg
  • Goat Willow (Sallow) - Salix caprea (Salicaceae). HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the short petiole sometimes has 2 ear-like sinuous stipules at its base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, on separate trees, appear before the leaves, often very early in the spring in sheltered places. Measuring up to 2.5cm long, they are ovoid and covered with greyish silky hairs before opening; at this time, Goat Willow is often called ‘Pussy Willow’ because the silky-grey buds bear a fanciful resemblance to cats’ paws. When they open, the male catkins become bright yellow. Female catkins are greener and produce numerous silky-haired seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A widespread and common native species in Britain and Ireland, occurring in woods, hedgerows and scrub, and often in drier places than other similar species.Goat Willow (Sallow) Salix caprea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the sho
    157425.jpg
  • White Point - Mythimna albipuncta
    140749.jpg
  • Caucasian Wingnut Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Spreading tree with domed crown and stout bole from which many branches arise close to same point. Suckers freely. BARK Grey, fissured and gnarled. LEAVES Compound, with 11–20 pairs of leaflets, each to 18cm long, ovate to lanceolate with a pointed tip and toothed margins. Midribs bear stellate hairs on underside. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins solitary, female catkins pendent with many flowers and give rise to broad-winged nutlets. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW Asia, planted here for ornament.
    135175.jpg
  • Caucasian Wingnut Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Spreading tree with domed crown and stout bole from which many branches arise close to same point. Suckers freely. BARK Grey, fissured and gnarled. LEAVES Compound, with 11–20 pairs of leaflets, each to 18cm long, ovate to lanceolate with a pointed tip and toothed margins. Midribs bear stellate hairs on underside. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins solitary, female catkins pendent with many flowers and give rise to broad-winged nutlets. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW Asia, planted here for ornament.
    135166.jpg
  • Engelmann’s Spruce Picea engelmannii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Slender, conical evergreen. Trunk thin and narrowly tapering. BARK Greyish pink and scaly. BRANCHES Ascending and turning upwards at tips, with pendulous young shoots. LEAVES Pointed, 4-angled, bluish-green needles, to 2.5cm long, spread to reveal twig’s lower surface but hide upper surface; smell is unpleasant when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Narrowly oval cones, tapering to a point, to 7cm long, ripening brownish, with squarish toothed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Rocky Mountains in N America. Planted here, but scarce.
    135090.jpg
  • Engelmann’s Spruce Picea engelmannii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Slender, conical evergreen. Trunk thin and narrowly tapering. BARK Greyish pink and scaly. BRANCHES Ascending and turning upwards at tips, with pendulous young shoots. LEAVES Pointed, 4-angled, bluish-green needles, to 2.5cm long, spread to reveal twig’s lower surface but hide upper surface; smell is unpleasant when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Narrowly oval cones, tapering to a point, to 7cm long, ripening brownish, with squarish toothed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Rocky Mountains in N America. Planted here, but scarce.
    135060.jpg
  • Engelmann’s Spruce Picea engelmannii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Slender, conical evergreen. Trunk thin and narrowly tapering. BARK Greyish pink and scaly. BRANCHES Ascending and turning upwards at tips, with pendulous young shoots. LEAVES Pointed, 4-angled, bluish-green needles, to 2.5cm long, spread to reveal twig’s lower surface but hide upper surface; smell is unpleasant when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Narrowly oval cones, tapering to a point, to 7cm long, ripening brownish, with squarish toothed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Rocky Mountains in N America. Planted here, but scarce.
    135058.jpg
  • Caucasian Wingnut Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Spreading tree with domed crown and stout bole from which many branches arise close to same point. Suckers freely. BARK Grey, fissured and gnarled. LEAVES Compound, with 11–20 pairs of leaflets, each to 18cm long, ovate to lanceolate with a pointed tip and toothed margins. Midribs bear stellate hairs on underside. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins solitary, female catkins pendent with many flowers and give rise to broad-winged nutlets. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW Asia, planted here for ornament.
    132526.jpg
  • Caucasian Wingnut Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Spreading tree with domed crown and stout bole from which many branches arise close to same point. Suckers freely. BARK Grey, fissured and gnarled. LEAVES Compound, with 11–20 pairs of leaflets, each to 18cm long, ovate to lanceolate with a pointed tip and toothed margins. Midribs bear stellate hairs on underside. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins solitary, female catkins pendent with many flowers and give rise to broad-winged nutlets. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW Asia, planted here for ornament.
    132370.jpg
  • Engelmann’s Spruce Picea engelmannii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Slender, conical evergreen. Trunk thin and narrowly tapering. BARK Greyish pink and scaly. BRANCHES Ascending and turning upwards at tips, with pendulous young shoots. LEAVES Pointed, 4-angled, bluish-green needles, to 2.5cm long, spread to reveal twig’s lower surface but hide upper surface; smell is unpleasant when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Narrowly oval cones, tapering to a point, to 7cm long, ripening brownish, with squarish toothed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Rocky Mountains in N America. Planted here, but scarce.
    135082.jpg
  • Engelmann’s Spruce Picea engelmannii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Slender, conical evergreen. Trunk thin and narrowly tapering. BARK Greyish pink and scaly. BRANCHES Ascending and turning upwards at tips, with pendulous young shoots. LEAVES Pointed, 4-angled, bluish-green needles, to 2.5cm long, spread to reveal twig’s lower surface but hide upper surface; smell is unpleasant when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Narrowly oval cones, tapering to a point, to 7cm long, ripening brownish, with squarish toothed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Rocky Mountains in N America. Planted here, but scarce.
    135059.jpg
  • Caucasian Wingnut Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Spreading tree with domed crown and stout bole from which many branches arise close to same point. Suckers freely. BARK Grey, fissured and gnarled. LEAVES Compound, with 11–20 pairs of leaflets, each to 18cm long, ovate to lanceolate with a pointed tip and toothed margins. Midribs bear stellate hairs on underside. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins solitary, female catkins pendent with many flowers and give rise to broad-winged nutlets. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW Asia, planted here for ornament.
    134569.jpg
  • Engelmann’s Spruce Picea engelmannii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Slender, conical evergreen. Trunk thin and narrowly tapering. BARK Greyish pink and scaly. BRANCHES Ascending and turning upwards at tips, with pendulous young shoots. LEAVES Pointed, 4-angled, bluish-green needles, to 2.5cm long, spread to reveal twig’s lower surface but hide upper surface; smell is unpleasant when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Narrowly oval cones, tapering to a point, to 7cm long, ripening brownish, with squarish toothed scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Rocky Mountains in N America. Planted here, but scarce.
    132781.jpg
  • Caucasian Wingnut Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Spreading tree with domed crown and stout bole from which many branches arise close to same point. Suckers freely. BARK Grey, fissured and gnarled. LEAVES Compound, with 11–20 pairs of leaflets, each to 18cm long, ovate to lanceolate with a pointed tip and toothed margins. Midribs bear stellate hairs on underside. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins solitary, female catkins pendent with many flowers and give rise to broad-winged nutlets. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW Asia, planted here for ornament.
    132527.jpg
  • Caucasian Wingnut Pterocarya fraxinifolia (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Spreading tree with domed crown and stout bole from which many branches arise close to same point. Suckers freely. BARK Grey, fissured and gnarled. LEAVES Compound, with 11–20 pairs of leaflets, each to 18cm long, ovate to lanceolate with a pointed tip and toothed margins. Midribs bear stellate hairs on underside. Leaves turn yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins solitary, female catkins pendent with many flowers and give rise to broad-winged nutlets. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW Asia, planted here for ornament.
    132371.jpg
  • Cley Beach, Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    160391.jpg
  • Aerial of Blakeney Point National Nature reserve, National Trust, summer, Norfolk UK
    156994.jpg
  • Aerial of Blakeney Point National Nature reserve, National Trust, summer, Norfolk UK
    156993.jpg
  • Aerial of Blakeney Point National Nature reserve, National Trust, summer, Norfolk UK
    156992.jpg
  • Sugar Maple Acer saccharum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 26m <br />
Similar to Norway Maple. BARK Has large fissures and falls away in shreds in older trees. BRANCHES Upright to spreading. LEAVES 13cm-long leaves are lobed, but teeth on lobes are rounded, not drawn out into a fine point as in Norway Maple; there are hairs in vein axils below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pendulous yellow-green flowers are small and lack petals; open in spring with leaves. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here for its autumn colours.
    134188.jpg
  • Aerial view of Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143176.jpg
  • Large-leaved Lime Tilia platyphyllos (Tiliaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. Tall and often narrow deciduous tree. Bole is normally free of suckers and shoots, distinguishing this species from Lime. BARK Dark-grey with fine fissures in older trees, which can sometimes be ridged. BRANCHES Mostly ascending but with slightly pendent tips. Twigs are reddish-green and sometimes slightly downy at tip, and ovoid buds, to 6mm long, are dark red and sometimes slightly downy. LEAVES To 9cm long, sometimes to 15cm long, broadly ovate, with a short tapering point and irregularly heart-shaped base. Margins are sharply toothed, upper surface is soft and dark green and lower surface is paler and sometimes slightly hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white flowers are borne in clusters of up to 6 on whitish-green, slightly downy bracts, usually opening in June. Hard, woody fruit is up to 1.8cm long, almost rounded or slightly pear-shaped with 3–5 ridges; a few remain on lower branches in winter. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of lime-rich soils in Europe; in Britain it is native to central and S England and Wales, having been introduced elsewhere; it is often planted as a street tree.
    135024.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    134778.jpg
  • Grey Alder Alnus incana (Betulaceae) HEIGHT to 25m <br />
A fast-growing alder more at home on dry soils than most other alders. Shoots and new leaves are covered with a dense layer of soft greyish hairs (hence incana). BARK Smooth and grey. LEAVES Triangular and toothed, terminating in a point, and the margins do not roll inwards. Hairs persist on the underside of the leaf as it matures. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The catkins and fruits are very similar to those of other alders, although the green fruits are more globose before ripening to the typical dark, woody alder cone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of Europe, introduced into Britain but not often planted. A good species for wasteland and reclamation schemes.
    134709.jpg
  • Saint Lucie Cherry Prunus mahaleb (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Often little more than a spreading shrub, but sometimes a small tree. BARK Greyish-brown and ringed with brown lenticels. BRANCHES Spreading, the young twigs covered with short greyish hairs and often slightly weeping at the tips. LEAVES Alternate, up to 7cm long and almost rounded, with a short point at the tip and a rounded or nearly heart-shaped base. The margin is finely toothed, the upper surface is glossy and the lower surface finely downy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white, scented flowers, which open in April–May, grow in clusters of 3–10 in groups of racemes at the end of leafy shoots. The 5 petals are about 8mm long and surround the yellowish anthers. The fruit is a 0.6–1cm-long ovate or rounded black berry with bitter-tasting flesh surrounding a smooth rounded stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of central and S Europe, growing in woodland glades and thickets. Planted in our region for ornament and naturalised occasionally.
    133711.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    133240.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    132941.jpg
  • BLACK MEDICK Medicago lupulina (Fabaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Downy annual of short grassland and waste places. FLOWERS are small and yellow; borne in dense, spherical heads (8-9mm across) of 10-50 flowers (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are spirally coiled, spineless and black when ripe. LEAVES are trifoliate, each leaflet bearing a point at the centre of its apex. STATUS-Widespread and rather common.
    132197.jpg
  • SHEEP’S SORREL Rumex acetosella (Polygonaceae) Height to 25cm. Short, upright perennial of bare, well-drained acid soils. FLOWERS are greenish and borne in loose, slender spikes (May-Aug). FRUITS are nut-like. LEAVES are arrow-shaped but the basal lobes point forwards; upper leaves clasp the stem. STATUS-Widespread and common in suitable habitats.
    130935.jpg
  • BLACK MEDICK Medicago lupulina (Fabaceae) Height to 20cm<br />
Downy annual of short grassland and waste places. FLOWERS are small and yellow; borne in dense, spherical heads (8-9mm across) of 10-50 flowers (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are spirally coiled, spineless and black when ripe. LEAVES are trifoliate, each leaflet bearing a point at the centre of its apex. STATUS-Widespread and rather common.
    130745.jpg
  • HARD RUSH Juncus inflexus (Juncaceae) Height to 1.2m<br />
Tufted perennial with stiff, ridged and bluish or greyish green stems. Grows in damp, grassy places but avoids acid soils. FLOWERS are brown and borne in loose clusters below a long bract (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are brown and egg-shaped with a tiny point. LEAVES are absent. STATUS-Widespread and common except in the N.
    143617.jpg
  • Midwife Toad Alytes obstetricans Length 4-5cm Short-legged, squat amphibian. Unusually for amphibians, mating takes place on land and the male carries the eggs until it is time for the tadpoles to hatch, at which point he seeks out water. A native of mainland Europe; several long-established colonies are present in Britain.
    144151.jpg
  • Common Toad - Bufo bufo - amplexus pair found at a notorious migration crossing point on a busy village road during the breeding migration period in early spring.
    163918.jpg
  • Common Toad - Bufo bufo - amplexus pair found at a notorious migration crossing point on a busy village road during the breeding migration period in early spring.
    163919.jpg
  • Common Toad - Bufo bufo - mating pair in amplexus found at a notorious migration crossing point on a busy country lane during the breeding migration period in early spring.
    162192.jpg
  • Goat Willow (Sallow) - Salix caprea (Salicaceae). HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the short petiole sometimes has 2 ear-like sinuous stipules at its base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, on separate trees, appear before the leaves, often very early in the spring in sheltered places. Measuring up to 2.5cm long, they are ovoid and covered with greyish silky hairs before opening; at this time, Goat Willow is often called ‘Pussy Willow’ because the silky-grey buds bear a fanciful resemblance to cats’ paws. When they open, the male catkins become bright yellow. Female catkins are greener and produce numerous silky-haired seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A widespread and common native species in Britain and Ireland, occurring in woods, hedgerows and scrub, and often in drier places than other similar species.
    157426.jpg
  • Goat Willow (Sallow) Salix caprea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the short petiole sometimes has 2 ear-like sinuous stipules at its base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, on separate trees, appear before the leaves, often very early in the spring in sheltered places. Measuring up to 2.5cm long, they are ovoid and covered with greyish silky hairs before opening; at this time, Goat Willow is often called ‘Pussy Willow’ because the silky-grey buds bear a fanciful resemblance to cats’ paws. When they open, the male catkins become bright yellow. Female catkins are greener and produce numerous silky-haired seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A widespread and common native species in Britain and Ireland, occurring in woods, hedgerows and scrub, and often in drier places than other similar species.
    134314.jpg
  • Saltmarshes on Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    142532.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143177.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
    143178.jpg
  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
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  • Blakeney Point, Norfolk, UK
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  • Rudd Scardinus erythropthalamus Length 20-35cm <br />
Superficially similar to Roach but usually deeper bodied and separable by noting the location of the fins. It is a shoal-forming. Adult has a rather silvery body but typically has a golden tinge on the flanks. The fins are all reddish and note that the dorsal fin lies behind point of origin of the pelvic fins. The Rudd is locally common in lakes and rivers in England, Wales and Ireland.
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  • Goat Willow (Sallow) Salix caprea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the short petiole sometimes has 2 ear-like sinuous stipules at its base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, on separate trees, appear before the leaves, often very early in the spring in sheltered places. Measuring up to 2.5cm long, they are ovoid and covered with greyish silky hairs before opening; at this time, Goat Willow is often called ‘Pussy Willow’ because the silky-grey buds bear a fanciful resemblance to cats’ paws. When they open, the male catkins become bright yellow. Female catkins are greener and produce numerous silky-haired seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A widespread and common native species in Britain and Ireland, occurring in woods, hedgerows and scrub, and often in drier places than other similar species.
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  • Large-leaved Lime Tilia platyphyllos (Tiliaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. Tall and often narrow deciduous tree. Bole is normally free of suckers and shoots, distinguishing this species from Lime. BARK Dark-grey with fine fissures in older trees, which can sometimes be ridged. BRANCHES Mostly ascending but with slightly pendent tips. Twigs are reddish-green and sometimes slightly downy at tip, and ovoid buds, to 6mm long, are dark red and sometimes slightly downy. LEAVES To 9cm long, sometimes to 15cm long, broadly ovate, with a short tapering point and irregularly heart-shaped base. Margins are sharply toothed, upper surface is soft and dark green and lower surface is paler and sometimes slightly hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white flowers are borne in clusters of up to 6 on whitish-green, slightly downy bracts, usually opening in June. Hard, woody fruit is up to 1.8cm long, almost rounded or slightly pear-shaped with 3–5 ridges; a few remain on lower branches in winter. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of lime-rich soils in Europe; in Britain it is native to central and S England and Wales, having been introduced elsewhere; it is often planted as a street tree.
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  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
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  • Large-leaved Lime Tilia platyphyllos (Tiliaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. Tall and often narrow deciduous tree. Bole is normally free of suckers and shoots, distinguishing this species from Lime. BARK Dark-grey with fine fissures in older trees, which can sometimes be ridged. BRANCHES Mostly ascending but with slightly pendent tips. Twigs are reddish-green and sometimes slightly downy at tip, and ovoid buds, to 6mm long, are dark red and sometimes slightly downy. LEAVES To 9cm long, sometimes to 15cm long, broadly ovate, with a short tapering point and irregularly heart-shaped base. Margins are sharply toothed, upper surface is soft and dark green and lower surface is paler and sometimes slightly hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white flowers are borne in clusters of up to 6 on whitish-green, slightly downy bracts, usually opening in June. Hard, woody fruit is up to 1.8cm long, almost rounded or slightly pear-shaped with 3–5 ridges; a few remain on lower branches in winter. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of lime-rich soils in Europe; in Britain it is native to central and S England and Wales, having been introduced elsewhere; it is often planted as a street tree.
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  • Large-leaved Lime Tilia platyphyllos (Tiliaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. Tall and often narrow deciduous tree. Bole is normally free of suckers and shoots, distinguishing this species from Lime. BARK Dark-grey with fine fissures in older trees, which can sometimes be ridged. BRANCHES Mostly ascending but with slightly pendent tips. Twigs are reddish-green and sometimes slightly downy at tip, and ovoid buds, to 6mm long, are dark red and sometimes slightly downy. LEAVES To 9cm long, sometimes to 15cm long, broadly ovate, with a short tapering point and irregularly heart-shaped base. Margins are sharply toothed, upper surface is soft and dark green and lower surface is paler and sometimes slightly hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white flowers are borne in clusters of up to 6 on whitish-green, slightly downy bracts, usually opening in June. Hard, woody fruit is up to 1.8cm long, almost rounded or slightly pear-shaped with 3–5 ridges; a few remain on lower branches in winter. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of lime-rich soils in Europe; in Britain it is native to central and S England and Wales, having been introduced elsewhere; it is often planted as a street tree.
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  • Large-leaved Lime Tilia platyphyllos (Tiliaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. Tall and often narrow deciduous tree. Bole is normally free of suckers and shoots, distinguishing this species from Lime. BARK Dark-grey with fine fissures in older trees, which can sometimes be ridged. BRANCHES Mostly ascending but with slightly pendent tips. Twigs are reddish-green and sometimes slightly downy at tip, and ovoid buds, to 6mm long, are dark red and sometimes slightly downy. LEAVES To 9cm long, sometimes to 15cm long, broadly ovate, with a short tapering point and irregularly heart-shaped base. Margins are sharply toothed, upper surface is soft and dark green and lower surface is paler and sometimes slightly hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white flowers are borne in clusters of up to 6 on whitish-green, slightly downy bracts, usually opening in June. Hard, woody fruit is up to 1.8cm long, almost rounded or slightly pear-shaped with 3–5 ridges; a few remain on lower branches in winter. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of lime-rich soils in Europe; in Britain it is native to central and S England and Wales, having been introduced elsewhere; it is often planted as a street tree.
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  • Monterey Cypress Cupressus macrocarpa (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 36m. Large evergreen, pyramidal when young, domed and spreading when mature. BARK reddish-brown; ridged and scaly with age. BRANCHES Crowded, upright on younger trees, more level and spreading with age. LEAVES Small, scale-like, on stiff, forward-pointing shoots; lemon-scented. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones yellow, up to 5mm across, are produced on tips of shoots behind female cones; females 2–4cm across, rounded and bright green at first, maturing purplish-green; each scale has a central point. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native near Monterey, California, where it is now rare and never attains the size it can in W Britain and Ireland.
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  • Monterey Cypress Cupressus macrocarpa (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 36m. Large evergreen, pyramidal when young, domed and spreading when mature. BARK reddish-brown; ridged and scaly with age. BRANCHES Crowded, upright on younger trees, more level and spreading with age. LEAVES Small, scale-like, on stiff, forward-pointing shoots; lemon-scented. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones yellow, up to 5mm across, are produced on tips of shoots behind female cones; females 2–4cm across, rounded and bright green at first, maturing purplish-green; each scale has a central point. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native near Monterey, California, where it is now rare and never attains the size it can in W Britain and Ireland.
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  • Sugar Maple Acer saccharum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 26m <br />
Similar to Norway Maple. BARK Has large fissures and falls away in shreds in older trees. BRANCHES Upright to spreading. LEAVES 13cm-long leaves are lobed, but teeth on lobes are rounded, not drawn out into a fine point as in Norway Maple; there are hairs in vein axils below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pendulous yellow-green flowers are small and lack petals; open in spring with leaves. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here for its autumn colours.
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  • 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.
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  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
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  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
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  • Strawberry Dogwood Cornus kousa (Cornaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A columnar to pyramidal deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling off in patches in older trees. BRANCHES Tangled. LEAVES Ovate, to 7.5cm long and 5cm across, with a tapering point and wavy margin; dark green above, smooth below with patches of brown hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white or greenish flowers are small and clustered together in compact rounded heads, surrounded by 4 large yellowish-white or pink-tinged bracts; open in early summer, followed by bunches of tiny, edible fruits that collectively look like strawberries. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and a garden tree in Britain and Europe.
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  • Grey Alder Alnus incana (Betulaceae) HEIGHT to 25m <br />
A fast-growing alder more at home on dry soils than most other alders. Shoots and new leaves are covered with a dense layer of soft greyish hairs (hence incana). BARK Smooth and grey. LEAVES Triangular and toothed, terminating in a point, and the margins do not roll inwards. Hairs persist on the underside of the leaf as it matures. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The catkins and fruits are very similar to those of other alders, although the green fruits are more globose before ripening to the typical dark, woody alder cone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of Europe, introduced into Britain but not often planted. A good species for wasteland and reclamation schemes.
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  • Grey Alder Alnus incana (Betulaceae) HEIGHT to 25m <br />
A fast-growing alder more at home on dry soils than most other alders. Shoots and new leaves are covered with a dense layer of soft greyish hairs (hence incana). BARK Smooth and grey. LEAVES Triangular and toothed, terminating in a point, and the margins do not roll inwards. Hairs persist on the underside of the leaf as it matures. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The catkins and fruits are very similar to those of other alders, although the green fruits are more globose before ripening to the typical dark, woody alder cone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of Europe, introduced into Britain but not often planted. A good species for wasteland and reclamation schemes.
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  • Grey Alder Alnus incana (Betulaceae) HEIGHT to 25m <br />
A fast-growing alder more at home on dry soils than most other alders. Shoots and new leaves are covered with a dense layer of soft greyish hairs (hence incana). BARK Smooth and grey. LEAVES Triangular and toothed, terminating in a point, and the margins do not roll inwards. Hairs persist on the underside of the leaf as it matures. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The catkins and fruits are very similar to those of other alders, although the green fruits are more globose before ripening to the typical dark, woody alder cone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of Europe, introduced into Britain but not often planted. A good species for wasteland and reclamation schemes.
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  • Grey Alder Alnus incana (Betulaceae) HEIGHT to 25m <br />
A fast-growing alder more at home on dry soils than most other alders. Shoots and new leaves are covered with a dense layer of soft greyish hairs (hence incana). BARK Smooth and grey. LEAVES Triangular and toothed, terminating in a point, and the margins do not roll inwards. Hairs persist on the underside of the leaf as it matures. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The catkins and fruits are very similar to those of other alders, although the green fruits are more globose before ripening to the typical dark, woody alder cone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of Europe, introduced into Britain but not often planted. A good species for wasteland and reclamation schemes.
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  • Saint Lucie Cherry Prunus mahaleb (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Often little more than a spreading shrub, but sometimes a small tree. BARK Greyish-brown and ringed with brown lenticels. BRANCHES Spreading, the young twigs covered with short greyish hairs and often slightly weeping at the tips. LEAVES Alternate, up to 7cm long and almost rounded, with a short point at the tip and a rounded or nearly heart-shaped base. The margin is finely toothed, the upper surface is glossy and the lower surface finely downy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white, scented flowers, which open in April–May, grow in clusters of 3–10 in groups of racemes at the end of leafy shoots. The 5 petals are about 8mm long and surround the yellowish anthers. The fruit is a 0.6–1cm-long ovate or rounded black berry with bitter-tasting flesh surrounding a smooth rounded stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of central and S Europe, growing in woodland glades and thickets. Planted in our region for ornament and naturalised occasionally.
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  • Saint Lucie Cherry Prunus mahaleb (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Often little more than a spreading shrub, but sometimes a small tree. BARK Greyish-brown and ringed with brown lenticels. BRANCHES Spreading, the young twigs covered with short greyish hairs and often slightly weeping at the tips. LEAVES Alternate, up to 7cm long and almost rounded, with a short point at the tip and a rounded or nearly heart-shaped base. The margin is finely toothed, the upper surface is glossy and the lower surface finely downy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white, scented flowers, which open in April–May, grow in clusters of 3–10 in groups of racemes at the end of leafy shoots. The 5 petals are about 8mm long and surround the yellowish anthers. The fruit is a 0.6–1cm-long ovate or rounded black berry with bitter-tasting flesh surrounding a smooth rounded stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of central and S Europe, growing in woodland glades and thickets. Planted in our region for ornament and naturalised occasionally.
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  • Goat Willow (Sallow) Salix caprea (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Depending on its situation this may be a multi-branched, dense, shrubby tree, or a taller tree with a straight, ridged stem and sparsely domed crown. SHOOTS Thick, stiff twigs are hairy at first, but become smoother and yellowish-brown with age. If the twigs have the bark peeled off they are smooth. (Compare with Grey Willow.) LEAVES Large, up to 12cm long and oval, with a short twisted point at the tip. The upper surface is dull green and slightly hairy, the lower surface is noticeably grey and woolly. The leaf margins have small, irregular teeth, and the short petiole sometimes has 2 ear-like sinuous stipules at its base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, on separate trees, appear before the leaves, often very early in the spring in sheltered places. Measuring up to 2.5cm long, they are ovoid and covered with greyish silky hairs before opening; at this time, Goat Willow is often called ‘Pussy Willow’ because the silky-grey buds bear a fanciful resemblance to cats’ paws. When they open, the male catkins become bright yellow. Female catkins are greener and produce numerous silky-haired seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A widespread and common native species in Britain and Ireland, occurring in woods, hedgerows and scrub, and often in drier places than other similar species.
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  • Large-leaved Lime Tilia platyphyllos (Tiliaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. Tall and often narrow deciduous tree. Bole is normally free of suckers and shoots, distinguishing this species from Lime. BARK Dark-grey with fine fissures in older trees, which can sometimes be ridged. BRANCHES Mostly ascending but with slightly pendent tips. Twigs are reddish-green and sometimes slightly downy at tip, and ovoid buds, to 6mm long, are dark red and sometimes slightly downy. LEAVES To 9cm long, sometimes to 15cm long, broadly ovate, with a short tapering point and irregularly heart-shaped base. Margins are sharply toothed, upper surface is soft and dark green and lower surface is paler and sometimes slightly hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white flowers are borne in clusters of up to 6 on whitish-green, slightly downy bracts, usually opening in June. Hard, woody fruit is up to 1.8cm long, almost rounded or slightly pear-shaped with 3–5 ridges; a few remain on lower branches in winter. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of lime-rich soils in Europe; in Britain it is native to central and S England and Wales, having been introduced elsewhere; it is often planted as a street tree.
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  • Large-leaved Lime Tilia platyphyllos (Tiliaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. Tall and often narrow deciduous tree. Bole is normally free of suckers and shoots, distinguishing this species from Lime. BARK Dark-grey with fine fissures in older trees, which can sometimes be ridged. BRANCHES Mostly ascending but with slightly pendent tips. Twigs are reddish-green and sometimes slightly downy at tip, and ovoid buds, to 6mm long, are dark red and sometimes slightly downy. LEAVES To 9cm long, sometimes to 15cm long, broadly ovate, with a short tapering point and irregularly heart-shaped base. Margins are sharply toothed, upper surface is soft and dark green and lower surface is paler and sometimes slightly hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-white flowers are borne in clusters of up to 6 on whitish-green, slightly downy bracts, usually opening in June. Hard, woody fruit is up to 1.8cm long, almost rounded or slightly pear-shaped with 3–5 ridges; a few remain on lower branches in winter. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of lime-rich soils in Europe; in Britain it is native to central and S England and Wales, having been introduced elsewhere; it is often planted as a street tree.
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  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
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  • Monterey Cypress Cupressus macrocarpa (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 36m. Large evergreen, pyramidal when young, domed and spreading when mature. BARK reddish-brown; ridged and scaly with age. BRANCHES Crowded, upright on younger trees, more level and spreading with age. LEAVES Small, scale-like, on stiff, forward-pointing shoots; lemon-scented. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones yellow, up to 5mm across, are produced on tips of shoots behind female cones; females 2–4cm across, rounded and bright green at first, maturing purplish-green; each scale has a central point. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native near Monterey, California, where it is now rare and never attains the size it can in W Britain and Ireland.
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