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  • HEDGE BEDSTRAW Galium mollugo (Rubiaceae) Height to 1.5m. Scrambling perennial with smooth, square stems. Found in hedgerows and dry, grassy places, typically on base-rich soils. FLOWERS are 3mm across, white and 4-petalled; borne in large, frothy clusters (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are wrinkled, hairless nutlets. LEAVES are oval, 1-veined, bristle-tipped and have forward-pointing bristles on the margins. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common, except in the N; absent from Ireland.
    131421.jpg
  • LIMESTONE BEDSTRAW Galium sterneri (Rubiaceae) Height to 30cm. Spreading, mat-forming perennial that turns greenish black when dry. Similar to Heath Bedstraw but only grows on base-rich grassland, never on acid soils. FLOWERS are 3mm across and greenish white with 4 petals; borne in domed clusters (May-Jul). FRUITS are hairless and warty nutlets. LEAVES are narrow-oblong and bristle-tipped, with backward-pointing marginal bristles. STATUS-Locally common in N only.
    129734.jpg
  • Hedge Bedstraw - Galiium mollugo. Height to 1.5m. Scrambling perennial with smooth, square stems. Found in hedgerows and dry, grassy places, typically on base-rich soils. FLOWERS are 3mm across, white and 4-petalled; borne in large, frothy clusters (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are wrinkled, hairless nutlets. LEAVES are oval, 1-veined, bristle-tipped and have forward-pointing bristles on the margins. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common, except in the N; absent from Ireland.
    157344.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.
    135161.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
  • 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.
    135023.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.
    133823.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.
    133784.jpg
  • TOOTHWORT Lathraea squamaria (Orobanchaceae) Height to 25cm. Bizarre perennial that is entirely parasitic on the roots of woody shrubs, especially Hazel. Grows in woodlands, invariably on base-rich soils. FLOWERS are 15-18mm long, tubular and pinkish lilac to creamy white; borne in 1-sided spikes (Apr-May). FRUITS are capsules, contained within the dead flower. LEAVES are scale-like, alternate and clasping. STATUS-Widespread but only locally common; absent N Scotland and W Ireland.
    140487.jpg
  • MEADOW CRANE’S-BILL Geranium pratense (Geraniaceae) Height to 75cm. Hairy, clump-forming perennial of meadows and verges, mostly on base-rich soils. FLOWERS are 3-3.5cm across with 5 rounded, bluish lilac petals; borne in pairs on stalks (Jun-Aug). FRUITS end in a long ‘beak’. LEAVES are deeply divided into 5-7 jagged lobes. STATUS-Locally common, except in SE England, N Scotland and Ireland.
    131696.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.
    135445.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.
    135169.jpg
  • Close up of wheat ears in crop field
    154755.jpg
  • Chalk Stream, River Itchen, Hampshire, UK
    128059.jpg
  • Close up of wheat ears in crop field
    154754.jpg
  • Summer wheat field
    154797.jpg
  • Chalk Stream, River Itchen, Hampshire, UK
    128057.jpg
  • Chalk Stream, River Itchen, Hampshire, UK
    128060.jpg
  • Chalk Stream, River Itchen, Hampshire, UK
    128061.jpg
  • Toothwort - Lathraea squamaria
    160790.jpg
  • Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    156795.jpg
  • Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    137380.jpg
  • Nightingale - Luscinia megarhynchos. L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    158002.jpg
  • Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    157613.jpg
  • Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    156796.jpg
  • Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    137841.jpg
  • Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    137846.jpg
  • Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    137848.jpg
  • Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    157709.jpg
  • Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    137843.jpg
  • Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    137844.jpg
  • Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    137845.jpg
  • Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos L 16-17cm. Secretive bird, best known for its powerful, musical song, sometimes sung at night. Silent birds are easily overlooked. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have rich brown upperparts overall; tail and rump are warmer reddish chestnut than back and note hint of grey on face and sides of neck. Underparts are greyish white, suffused pale buffish brown on breast. Voice Song is rich and varied and includes fluty whistles and clicking sounds; typically the bird starts with a rich, whistling tu-tu-tu-tu. Status Local and declining summer visitor, favouring coppiced woodland and scrub.
    135939.jpg
  • Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus Wingspan 18-24cm Small bat with sleek, fluffy fur that is rich grey-brown above and buffish brown below. Note the dark ‘bandit’ mask and dark, oval ears with 4-5 transverse folds on the outer edge. People with good hearing can sometimes detect their high-pitched contact calls and Common Pipistrelles echolocate at around 45khz. Widespread and common in woods and gardens, with a fluttery flight. Summer roosts are often in roofs of modern houses.
    157711.jpg
  • Ferruginous Duck - Aythya ferruginea. L 38-42cm. Attractive diving duck. In flight, all birds show striking white wingbar on upperwing, white underwings and white belly. In all birds, cap is peaked and bill is mainly grey; pale band separates grey from dark tip. Sexes are separable with care. Adult male has rich, reddish brown plumage, darkest on back, almost black on rump and tail. Has white stern and white belly (latter only visible in flight) and white eye. Adult female is similar to adult male but reddish colouration is duller and eye is dark. Juvenile is similar to adult female but duller colours. Voice Mostly silent. Status Scarce visitor, mainly outside breeding season. Species’ status is confused by presence of undoubted escapees from captivity. Favours lakes and flooded gravel pits.
    157674.jpg
  • Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla - Female. L 14-15cm. Distinctive warbler with a musical song. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey-brown upperparts, dusky grey underparts, palest on throat and undertail, pale eyering and diagnostic black cap. Adult female and juveniles have grey-brown upperparts, pale buffish grey underparts (palest on throat and undertail) and reddish chestnut cap. Voice Utters a sharp tchek alarm call. Song is rich and musical warble; similar to Garden Warbler’s but contains jaunty phrases. Status Common summer visitor to deciduous woodland with dense undergrowth, scrub and mature gardens. Migrants from N Europe pass through in autumn and some remain throughout winter.
    157601.jpg
  • Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla - Female. L 14-15cm. Distinctive warbler with a musical song. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey-brown upperparts, dusky grey underparts, palest on throat and undertail, pale eyering and diagnostic black cap. Adult female and juveniles have grey-brown upperparts, pale buffish grey underparts (palest on throat and undertail) and reddish chestnut cap. Voice Utters a sharp tchek alarm call. Song is rich and musical warble; similar to Garden Warbler’s but contains jaunty phrases. Status Common summer visitor to deciduous woodland with dense undergrowth, scrub and mature gardens. Migrants from N Europe pass through in autumn and some remain throughout winter.
    157600.jpg
  • Garden Warbler Sylvia borin L 14-15cm. Has non-descript plumage but an attractive song. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have uniform grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts with buffish wash to breast and flanks. Legs are grey, grey bill is short and stubby, and note subtle grey patch on side of neck (not always easy to see). Voice Call is a sharp chek-chek. Song is rich and warbling; could be confused with Blackcap’s but even more musical and almost thrush-like. Status Fairly common summer visitor to deciduous woodland and mature scrub.
    157597.jpg
  • Northern Brown Argus - Aricia artexerxes - ssp. artaxerxes (top and middle row) - <br />
ssp. salmacis = Durham Argus (bottom row).  Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
    157169.jpg
  • Garden Warbler Sylvia borin L 14-15cm. Has non-descript plumage but an attractive song. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have uniform grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts with buffish wash to breast and flanks. Legs are grey, grey bill is short and stubby, and note subtle grey patch on side of neck (not always easy to see). Voice Call is a sharp chek-chek. Song is rich and warbling; could be confused with Blackcap’s but even more musical and almost thrush-like. Status Fairly common summer visitor to deciduous woodland and mature scrub.
    157019.jpg
  • Garden Warbler Sylvia borin L 14-15cm. Has non-descript plumage but an attractive song. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have uniform grey-brown upperparts and pale underparts with buffish wash to breast and flanks. Legs are grey, grey bill is short and stubby, and note subtle grey patch on side of neck (not always easy to see). Voice Call is a sharp chek-chek. Song is rich and warbling; could be confused with Blackcap’s but even more musical and almost thrush-like. Status Fairly common summer visitor to deciduous woodland and mature scrub.
    157018.jpg
  • Blackbird - Turdus merula - Female. 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.
    156779.jpg
  • Clouded Yellow - Colias croceus - Male (top) - female - (middle) - female, form helice (bottom). Wingspan 50mm. A fast-flying migrant visitor to Britain, from mainland Europe. Adult has dark-bordered upperwings that are rich orange-yellow in male, pale yellow in female. Both sexes have yellow underwings with a few dark markings. Larva is green with pale yellow lateral line; feeds on Lucerne and other members of the pea family. A summer visitor to Britain, seen mainly in coastal areas; generally scarce but common in some years.
    156725.jpg
  • Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris (L 13-14cm) is very similar to a Reed Warbler and the best way to separate the two is by song: a Marsh’ is rich and varied, including amazing mimicry of both other European songsters and species learnt in its African wintering grounds. It also favours subtly different habitats, namely rank waterside vegetation (including nettles and brambles) rather than reedebeds. On close inspection, subtle plumage and structural differences also exist between the two species. An adult Marsh has grey-brown upperparts (not ‘warm’) including the rump, and pale underparts suffused yellow-buff. The legs are pinkish (not dark) and the soles of the feet look yellowish. The species is a rare summer visitor and just a handful of pairs breed.
    156426.jpg
  • Blackbird - Turdus merula - Male. 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.
    156286.jpg
  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
    156281.jpg
  • Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla - Male. L 14-15cm. Distinctive warbler with a musical song. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey-brown upperparts, dusky grey underparts, palest on throat and undertail, pale eyering and diagnostic black cap. Adult female and juveniles have grey-brown upperparts, pale buffish grey underparts (palest on throat and undertail) and reddish chestnut cap. Voice Utters a sharp tchek alarm call. Song is rich and musical warble; similar to Garden Warbler’s but contains jaunty phrases. Status Common summer visitor to deciduous woodland with dense undergrowth, scrub and mature gardens. Migrants from N Europe pass through in autumn and some remain throughout winter.
    155959.jpg
  • Blackbird Turdus merula - Male. 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.
    155963.jpg
  • Blackbird Turdus merula - Male. 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.
    155669.jpg
  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
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  • Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla - Male. L 14-15cm. Distinctive warbler with a musical song. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey-brown upperparts, dusky grey underparts, palest on throat and undertail, pale eyering and diagnostic black cap. Adult female and juveniles have grey-brown upperparts, pale buffish grey underparts (palest on throat and undertail) and reddish chestnut cap. Voice Utters a sharp tchek alarm call. Song is rich and musical warble; similar to Garden Warbler’s but contains jaunty phrases. Status Common summer visitor to deciduous woodland with dense undergrowth, scrub and mature gardens. Migrants from N Europe pass through in autumn and some remain throughout winter.
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  • Blackbird Turdus merula - Female. 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.
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  • Blackbird Turdus merula - Female. 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.
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  • Black Hairstreak Satyriuim pruni Wingspan 35mm. A rather sluggish butterfly with lethargic flight. Easiest to see when feeding on Privet flowers or honeydew on leaves. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are rich brown with orange band white line on both wings. Upperwings are dark grey-brown. Flies July. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Pupa has markings that make it look like a bird dropping. A rare butterfly, found in open woods with Blackthorn thickets; mainly in the East Midlands.
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  • Black Hairstreak Satyriuim pruni Wingspan 35mm. A rather sluggish butterfly with lethargic flight. Easiest to see when feeding on Privet flowers or honeydew on leaves. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are rich brown with orange band white line on both wings. Upperwings are dark grey-brown. Flies July. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Pupa has markings that make it look like a bird dropping. A rare butterfly, found in open woods with Blackthorn thickets; mainly in the East Midlands.
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  • Black Hairstreak Satyriuim pruni Wingspan 35mm. A rather sluggish butterfly with lethargic flight. Easiest to see when feeding on Privet flowers or honeydew on leaves. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are rich brown with orange band white line on both wings. Upperwings are dark grey-brown. Flies July. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Pupa has markings that make it look like a bird dropping. A rare butterfly, found in open woods with Blackthorn thickets; mainly in the East Midlands.
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  • Black Hairstreak Satyriuim pruni Wingspan 35mm. A rather sluggish butterfly with lethargic flight. Easiest to see when feeding on Privet flowers or honeydew on leaves. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are rich brown with orange band white line on both wings. Upperwings are dark grey-brown. Flies July. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Pupa has markings that make it look like a bird dropping. A rare butterfly, found in open woods with Blackthorn thickets; mainly in the East Midlands.
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  • Black Hairstreak Satyriuim pruni Wingspan 35mm. A rather sluggish butterfly with lethargic flight. Easiest to see when feeding on Privet flowers or honeydew on leaves. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are rich brown with orange band white line on both wings. Upperwings are dark grey-brown. Flies July. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Pupa has markings that make it look like a bird dropping. A rare butterfly, found in open woods with Blackthorn thickets; mainly in the East Midlands.
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  • Black Hairstreak Satyriuim pruni Wingspan 35mm. A rather sluggish butterfly with lethargic flight. Easiest to see when feeding on Privet flowers or honeydew on leaves. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are rich brown with orange band white line on both wings. Upperwings are dark grey-brown. Flies July. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Pupa has markings that make it look like a bird dropping. A rare butterfly, found in open woods with Blackthorn thickets; mainly in the East Midlands.
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  • Black Hairstreak Satyriuim pruni Wingspan 35mm. A rather sluggish butterfly with lethargic flight. Easiest to see when feeding on Privet flowers or honeydew on leaves. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are rich brown with orange band white line on both wings. Upperwings are dark grey-brown. Flies July. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Pupa has markings that make it look like a bird dropping. A rare butterfly, found in open woods with Blackthorn thickets; mainly in the East Midlands.
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  • Scotch Argus Erebia aethiops Wingspan 40mm. A hardy butterfly, adapted to cool climates. Adult recalls a broad-winged Ringlet but has rich brown upperwings with an orange band marked with eyespots. Underwings are brown, hindwing with a grey band, forewing with a yellowish band marked with eyespots. Flies July–September but only active in sunshine. Larva feeds on Purple Moor-grass. Local and restricted to northern England and southern and central Scotland. Favours woodland rides and clearings, and moorland where its larval foodplant is common.
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  • Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica Length 20mm. A well-marked spring-flying moth that rests with it wings spread flat or held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has brown forewings, marbled with purplish-grey and rich brown, and with a dark rectangular mark from which a semi-circular section has been removed. Flies March–April. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Common and widespread.
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  • Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica Length 20mm. A well-marked spring-flying moth that rests with it wings spread flat or held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has brown forewings, marbled with purplish-grey and rich brown, and with a dark rectangular mark from which a semi-circular section has been removed. Flies March–April. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Common and widespread.
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  • The Dun-bar  Cosmia trapezina Length 15-18mm. A very variable moth that rests with its forewings spread flat. Adult has forewings that usually range from orange-buff to rich brown; most forms have a darker central, band defined by dark-edged pale cross lines and containing a dark spot. Flies July-September. Larva feeds on a range of deciduous trees. Widespread but commonest in southern and central Britain.
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  • The Flame Axylia putris Length 16-18mm. An attractive moth whose wings are often held wrapped around the body so that it resembles a broken twig. Adult has pale buff forewings, marked with dark streaks and a dark spot; leading edge and thorax are rich brown, with pale front to head. Flies June-July. Larva feeds on low-growing herbaceous plants. Widespread but common only in central and southern Britain.
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  • Oak Hook-tip Watsonalla binaria Wingspan 25-35mm. A distinctive moth with hook-tipped forewings. Adult male has rich brown wings with pale cross lines and dark spots on forewing. Female is larger, with similar markings but buffish forewings and yellow hindwings. Double-brooded: flies May–June, and again in August.  Larva has an angular appearance and feeds on oak leaves. Common only in southern and central Britain.
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  • Flounced Rustic Luperina testacea Length 17-19mm. A variable moth that usually rests with its wings held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has forewings that range from grey-buff to rich brown; typically there is a dark band on the trailing edge, a dark central line and pale-ringed oval and kidney marks. Flies August-September. Larva feeds on grass stems and roots. Locally common only in central and southern Britain.
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  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Clouded Yellow Colias crocea Wingspan 50mm. A fast-flying migrant visitor to Britain, from mainland Europe. Adult has dark-bordered upperwings that are rich orange-yellow in male, pale yellow in female. Both sexes have yellow underwings with a few dark markings. Larva is green with pale yellow lateral line; feeds on Lucerne and other members of the pea family. A summer visitor to Britain, seen mainly in coastal areas; generally scarce but common in some years.
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  • Hebrew Character Orthosia gothica Length 20mm. A well-marked spring-flying moth that rests with it wings spread flat or held in a shallow tent-like manner. Adult has brown forewings, marbled with purplish-grey and rich brown, and with a dark rectangular mark from which a semi-circular section has been removed. Flies March–April. Larva feeds on a range of herbaceous plants. Common and widespread.
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  • Northern Brown Argus Aricia artaxerxes Wingspan 25mm. A distinctive butterfly and the northern counterpart of the Brown Argus. Adult has rich brown upperwings and orange submarginal spots; compared to Brown Argus note the white spot on the upper forewing. Underwings are grey-brown with white-ringed black spots, and orange submarginal spots. Flies June-July. Larva is grub-like and feeds on Common Rock-rose. Very local in calcareous grassland in northern England and Scotland.
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  • Treble Lines  Charanyca trigrammica Length 18-20mm. An accurately, if unimaginatively, named moth that rests with its wings held flat. Adult has forewings that range from pale buff to rich brown wings; all colour forms show three darker cross lines. Flies May-July. Larva feeds on the basal stems of herbaceous plants. Locally common only in southern and central Britain.
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  • Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing Noctua fimbriata Length 25mm. An active moth that is easily disturbed in the daytime. At rest, the wings are held flat, one forewing overlapping the other. Adult has forewings that are rich brown in the male, paler buff in the female; all individuals have a dark cross band and dark mark near the tip of the leading edge. The hindwings are orange-yellow with a broad black, subterminal band. Has an extended flying season, from July–September. Larva eats a wide range of herbaceous plants. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
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  • Black Hairstreak Satyriuim pruni Wingspan 35mm. A rather sluggish butterfly with lethargic flight. Easiest to see when feeding on Privet flowers or honeydew on leaves. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are rich brown with orange band white line on both wings. Upperwings are dark grey-brown. Flies July. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Pupa has markings that make it look like a bird dropping. A rare butterfly, found in open woods with Blackthorn thickets; mainly in the East Midlands.
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  • Black Hairstreak Satyriuim pruni Wingspan 35mm. A rather sluggish butterfly with lethargic flight. Easiest to see when feeding on Privet flowers or honeydew on leaves. Adult seldom reveals upperwings. Underwings are rich brown with orange band white line on both wings. Upperwings are dark grey-brown. Flies July. Larva is rather slug-like and feeds on Blackthorn. Pupa has markings that make it look like a bird dropping. A rare butterfly, found in open woods with Blackthorn thickets; mainly in the East Midlands.
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  • Scotch Argus Erebia aethiops Wingspan 40mm. A hardy butterfly, adapted to cool climates. Adult recalls a broad-winged Ringlet but has rich brown upperwings with an orange band marked with eyespots. Underwings are brown, hindwing with a grey band, forewing with a yellowish band marked with eyespots. Flies July–September but only active in sunshine. Larva feeds on Purple Moor-grass. Local and restricted to northern England and southern and central Scotland. Favours woodland rides and clearings, and moorland where its larval foodplant is common.
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  • Japanese Crab Malus floribunda (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A compact, densely crowned small tree on a thick bole with dark brown, fissured bark. The twigs are slightly pendulous and reddish when young, remaining densely hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 8cm long, oval with a pointed tip and a toothed margin. The underside is downy when the leaves first open, but becomes smooth later. Reproductive parts The fragrant flowers appear soon after the leaves and are usually so dense that they hide the leaves. At first the buds are a rich pink, then they become paler as they open and the blossom gradually fades to white. The fruits are rounded and up to 2.5cm across, but sometimes smaller. They ripen to a bright yellow, and are often present in the same abundance as the flowers. Habitat and distribution Probably a hybrid between two Japanese garden species, as this tree has not been found growing in the wild. Frequently planted in gardens and parks all over Europe for its attractive blossom and convenient small size.
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  • Caucasian Ash Fraxinus oxycarpa (Height to 25m) has silvery-grey bark, and glossy leaves with white hairs on base of midribs beneath; var. ‘Raywood’ has a rich purple colour in autumn. Native of SE Europe and Asia Minor, planted occasionally.
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  • Arolla Pine Pinus cembra (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 29m <br />
Densely crowned and slender-conical when mature with a strong bole. BARK Reddish-grey, peeling, resinous. LEAVES Needles, to 8cm long, crowded and almost erect. Leaf margins faintly toothed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Squat cones, to 8cm long, on short stalks; violet-blue first, ripening rich brown. Scales rounded; cones usually fall intact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Alps and Carpathians, planted here for ornament.
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  • Service-tree Sorbus domestica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 20m<br />
Resembles Rowan but note subtle differences in bark, buds and fruit. BARK Rich brown bark, fissured, ridged and often peels in vertical shreds. BRANCHES Upright to spreading. Buds are smooth, rounded and green, unlike the purple, pointed buds of the Rowan. LEAVES Alternate and pinnate, composed of up to 8 pairs of oblong, toothed leaflets about 5cm long, and softly hairy on underside. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are produced in May in rounded, branched clusters; each flower is about 1.5cm across and composed of 5 creamy-white petals. Small pear- or sometimes apple-shaped fruits are up to 2cm long and green or brown like a russet apple. They have a very sharp taste when ripe, but after a frost they become more palatable. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Widespread in southern Europe and a rare British native; also planted occasionally.
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  • Japanese Crab Malus floribunda (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A compact, densely crowned small tree on a thick bole with dark brown, fissured bark. The twigs are slightly pendulous and reddish when young, remaining densely hairy. The alternate leaves are up to 8cm long, oval with a pointed tip and a toothed margin. The underside is downy when the leaves first open, but becomes smooth later. Reproductive parts The fragrant flowers appear soon after the leaves and are usually so dense that they hide the leaves. At first the buds are a rich pink, then they become paler as they open and the blossom gradually fades to white. The fruits are rounded and up to 2.5cm across, but sometimes smaller. They ripen to a bright yellow, and are often present in the same abundance as the flowers. Habitat and distribution Probably a hybrid between two Japanese garden species, as this tree has not been found growing in the wild. Frequently planted in gardens and parks all over Europe for its attractive blossom and convenient small size.
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  • Moosewood Acer pennsylvanicum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 14m. One of the so-called ‘snakebark maples’. BARK Green, vertically striped with reddish-brown or white; bark becomes greyer with age. BRANCHES Mainly upright. LEAVES To 15cm long and about same width, with 3 triangular forward-pointing lobes that taper to slender points; central lobe is longest. In summer leaves are rich yellow-green with a smooth upper surface and a hairy lower surface when first open. In autumn they turn a deep yellow. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small yellow-green flowers, in pendulous racemes, appear in spring with leaves. Greenish fruits are about 2.5cm long and have downcurved wings. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here for its autumn colours.
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  • Moosewood Acer pennsylvanicum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 14m. One of the so-called ‘snakebark maples’. BARK Green, vertically striped with reddish-brown or white; bark becomes greyer with age. BRANCHES Mainly upright. LEAVES To 15cm long and about same width, with 3 triangular forward-pointing lobes that taper to slender points; central lobe is longest. In summer leaves are rich yellow-green with a smooth upper surface and a hairy lower surface when first open. In autumn they turn a deep yellow. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small yellow-green flowers, in pendulous racemes, appear in spring with leaves. Greenish fruits are about 2.5cm long and have downcurved wings. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here for its autumn colours.
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  • Moosewood Acer pennsylvanicum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 14m. One of the so-called ‘snakebark maples’. BARK Green, vertically striped with reddish-brown or white; bark becomes greyer with age. BRANCHES Mainly upright. LEAVES To 15cm long and about same width, with 3 triangular forward-pointing lobes that taper to slender points; central lobe is longest. In summer leaves are rich yellow-green with a smooth upper surface and a hairy lower surface when first open. In autumn they turn a deep yellow. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small yellow-green flowers, in pendulous racemes, appear in spring with leaves. Greenish fruits are about 2.5cm long and have downcurved wings. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here for its autumn colours.
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  • Moosewood Acer pennsylvanicum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 14m. One of the so-called ‘snakebark maples’. BARK Green, vertically striped with reddish-brown or white; bark becomes greyer with age. BRANCHES Mainly upright. LEAVES To 15cm long and about same width, with 3 triangular forward-pointing lobes that taper to slender points; central lobe is longest. In summer leaves are rich yellow-green with a smooth upper surface and a hairy lower surface when first open. In autumn they turn a deep yellow. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small yellow-green flowers, in pendulous racemes, appear in spring with leaves. Greenish fruits are about 2.5cm long and have downcurved wings. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here for its autumn colours.
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  • Stone Pine Pinus pinea (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broad umbrella-shaped tree with a dense mass of foliage on spreading branches on top of a tall bole. BARK Reddish-grey on old trees and fissured, flaking away to leave deep orange patches. LEAVES Paired needles, to 20cm long and 2mm wide, slightly twisted. Through a hand-lens 12 lines of stomata can be seen on outer surface and 6 on inner surface. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones rounded to ovoid, to 14cm long and 10cm across, ripening rich glossy brown after 3 years. Scales, closely packed with a slightly pyramidal surface, conceal large, slightly winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Mediterranean coasts. Planted here occasionally, usually near coasts.
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  • Service-tree Sorbus domestica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 20m<br />
Resembles Rowan but note subtle differences in bark, buds and fruit. BARK Rich brown bark, fissured, ridged and often peels in vertical shreds. BRANCHES Upright to spreading. Buds are smooth, rounded and green, unlike the purple, pointed buds of the Rowan. LEAVES Alternate and pinnate, composed of up to 8 pairs of oblong, toothed leaflets about 5cm long, and softly hairy on underside. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are produced in May in rounded, branched clusters; each flower is about 1.5cm across and composed of 5 creamy-white petals. Small pear- or sometimes apple-shaped fruits are up to 2cm long and green or brown like a russet apple. They have a very sharp taste when ripe, but after a frost they become more palatable. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Widespread in southern Europe and a rare British native; also planted occasionally.
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  • Service-tree Sorbus domestica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 20m<br />
Resembles Rowan but note subtle differences in bark, buds and fruit. BARK Rich brown bark, fissured, ridged and often peels in vertical shreds. BRANCHES Upright to spreading. Buds are smooth, rounded and green, unlike the purple, pointed buds of the Rowan. LEAVES Alternate and pinnate, composed of up to 8 pairs of oblong, toothed leaflets about 5cm long, and softly hairy on underside. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are produced in May in rounded, branched clusters; each flower is about 1.5cm across and composed of 5 creamy-white petals. Small pear- or sometimes apple-shaped fruits are up to 2cm long and green or brown like a russet apple. They have a very sharp taste when ripe, but after a frost they become more palatable. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Widespread in southern Europe and a rare British native; also planted occasionally.
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  • Grecian Fir Abies cephalonica (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 36m <br />
Spreading tree. BARK Grey with a hint of orange in young trees, deeper grey and fissured to form squarish plates in maturity. LEAVES rigid, prickly needles arising from all round hairless red-brown twigs (not in rows); up to 3cm long with 2 white bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones upright, rich golden-brown, up to 16cm long. Downcurved triangular bracts protrude from between scales. Mature trees are often heavily loaded with cones. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Greek mountains. Grows well in dry areas of Britain, but also thrives in wet regions, where it reaches the greatest size.
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  • Grecian Fir Abies cephalonica (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 36m <br />
Spreading tree. BARK Grey with a hint of orange in young trees, deeper grey and fissured to form squarish plates in maturity. LEAVES rigid, prickly needles arising from all round hairless red-brown twigs (not in rows); up to 3cm long with 2 white bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones upright, rich golden-brown, up to 16cm long. Downcurved triangular bracts protrude from between scales. Mature trees are often heavily loaded with cones. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Greek mountains. Grows well in dry areas of Britain, but also thrives in wet regions, where it reaches the greatest size.
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  • Grecian Fir Abies cephalonica (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 36m <br />
Spreading tree. BARK Grey with a hint of orange in young trees, deeper grey and fissured to form squarish plates in maturity. LEAVES rigid, prickly needles arising from all round hairless red-brown twigs (not in rows); up to 3cm long with 2 white bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones upright, rich golden-brown, up to 16cm long. Downcurved triangular bracts protrude from between scales. Mature trees are often heavily loaded with cones. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Greek mountains. Grows well in dry areas of Britain, but also thrives in wet regions, where it reaches the greatest size.
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  • Arolla Pine Pinus cembra (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 29m <br />
Densely crowned and slender-conical when mature with a strong bole. BARK Reddish-grey, peeling, resinous. LEAVES Needles, to 8cm long, crowded and almost erect. Leaf margins faintly toothed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Squat cones, to 8cm long, on short stalks; violet-blue first, ripening rich brown. Scales rounded; cones usually fall intact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Alps and Carpathians, planted here for ornament.
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  • Caucasian Ash Fraxinus oxycarpa (Height to 25m) has silvery-grey bark, and glossy leaves with white hairs on base of midribs beneath; var. ‘Raywood’ has a rich purple colour in autumn. Native of SE Europe and Asia Minor, planted occasionally.
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  • Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Conical deciduous conifer with shoots and leaves in opposite pairs. Trunk tapers and is buttressed at base, becoming ridged in older trees. BARK Rich reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES 2.5cm long, flat and needle-like, pale green at first, becoming darker green later; on short, lateral shoots that are shed in autumn. Leaves emerge early in spring, and turn yellow, pink or red before falling. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are produced on young shoots in separate clusters on same tree in spring. Males are yellow; females greenish, producing rounded green, then brown cones about 2.5cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China, unknown as a living tree (known only from fossil records) until 1941. Now a popular garden tree.
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  • Tibetan Cherry Prunus serrula (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m <br />
Resembles Spring Cherry. BARK Deep-purple; peels to reveal a rich and glossy mahogany-coloured inner layer; often rubbed smoothed by passers-by. BRANCHES Spread widely; often pruned to reveal more of bark, this tree’s principal decorative feature. LEAVES To 12cm long, lanceolate and pointed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS White flowers open with leaves, in April–May. Bright-red fruits about 1cm long sometimes form. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to China, planted here occasionally.
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  • Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Conical deciduous conifer with shoots and leaves in opposite pairs. Trunk tapers and is buttressed at base, becoming ridged in older trees. BARK Rich reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES 2.5cm long, flat and needle-like, pale green at first, becoming darker green later; on short, lateral shoots that are shed in autumn. Leaves emerge early in spring, and turn yellow, pink or red before falling. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are produced on young shoots in separate clusters on same tree in spring. Males are yellow; females greenish, producing rounded green, then brown cones about 2.5cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China, unknown as a living tree (known only from fossil records) until 1941. Now a popular garden tree.
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  • Cockspurthorn Crataegus crus-galli (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 10m <br />
A small, usually spreading deciduous tree with a flattish crown and a short bole. BARK Smooth and greyish-brown in young trees; in older trees it is fissured. BRANCHES Purple-brown twigs carry numerous 7–10cm-long sharp spines. LEAVES Up to 8cm long and about 3cm wide, increasing in width above the middle, with a toothed margin. Both surfaces are smooth and shiny, dark green in summer and turning a rich orange in autumn, often before other species have started to show colour changes. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white flowers are<br />
about 1.5cm in diameter and grow in loose clusters, opening in May. The red globular fruits are ripe in October and persist after the leaves have fallen. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native tree in NE America, and often planted in Britain and Ireland as a garden or roadside tree, mostly for its striking orange autumn colours
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  • Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Conical deciduous conifer with shoots and leaves in opposite pairs. Trunk tapers and is buttressed at base, becoming ridged in older trees. BARK Rich reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES 2.5cm long, flat and needle-like, pale green at first, becoming darker green later; on short, lateral shoots that are shed in autumn. Leaves emerge early in spring, and turn yellow, pink or red before falling. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are produced on young shoots in separate clusters on same tree in spring. Males are yellow; females greenish, producing rounded green, then brown cones about 2.5cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China, unknown as a living tree (known only from fossil records) until 1941. Now a popular garden tree.
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