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  • NARROW-LEAVED PEPPERWORT Lepidium ruderale (Brassicaceae) Height to 30cm. Bushy, hairless annual with an unpleasant smell when crushed. Found on disturbed ground, often near the sea. FLOWERS are 1mm across and greenish, the petals usually absent (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are small, elliptical, flattened and notched. LEAVES comprise pinnately lobed basal leaves and untoothed ones on stem. STATUS-Mainly in S.
    139934.jpg
  • ANNUAL WALL-ROCKET Diplotaxis muralis (Brassicaceae) Height to 60cm. Branched annual with an extremely unpleasant smell when crushed. Found on waste ground and in arable fields, mainly on sandy soils. FLOWERS are 10-15mm across with 4 yellow petals (May-Sep). FRUITS are cylindrical with 2 rows of seeds. LEAVES are pinnately lobed and mainly basal. STATUS-Widespread but local, mainly in the S.
    131902.jpg
  • FIELD PENNY-CRESS Thlaspi arvense (Brassicaceae) Height to 50cm. Annual that emits an unpleasant smell when crushed. Found in arable fields and on waste ground. FLOWERS are 4-6mm across with 4 white petals (May-Sep). FRUITS are rounded pods with a terminal notch. LEAVES comprise narrow, arrow-shaped leaves the clasp the upright stem; no basal rosette. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    132033.jpg
  • NARROW-LEAVED PEPPERWORT Lepidium ruderale (Brassicaceae) Height to 30cm. Bushy, hairless annual with an unpleasant smell when crushed. Found on disturbed ground, often near the sea. FLOWERS are 1mm across and greenish, the petals usually absent (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are small, elliptical, flattened and notched. LEAVES comprise pinnately lobed basal leaves and untoothed ones on stem. STATUS-Mainly in S.
    139933.jpg
  • PEPPERMINT Mentha x piperata (Lamiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Robust perennial, a hybrid between Spear and Water Mints. Has a strong peppermint smell. Grows in damp ground. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and pinkish lilac; borne in a terminal spikes with a few whorls below (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are narrow-ovate and stalked. STATUS-A popular culinary herb that is naturalised locally.
    131954.jpg
  • Bug Orchid Orchis coriophora (Height to 25cm) Distinctive orchid. Leaves are narrow, fresh green and mainly basal. Flowers have a hood and are mostly pinkish-brown; lip is usually dark-spotted and sometimes tinged green. Flowers are borne in a dense spikes, March-May, and smell musky. Grassy places and maquis. Widespread across Mediterranean.
    116451.jpg
  • HOUND’S-TONGUE Cynoglossum officinale (Boraginaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright, downy biennial that smells strongly of mice. Grows in dry, grassy places, often on chalky soil and near the coast. FLOWERS are 5-7mm across, maroon and 5-lobed; borne in branched clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS comprise groups of 4 flattened, oval nutlets that are covered in hooked bristles. LEAVES are narrow and hairy; lower ones are stalked. STATUS-Widespread but commonest in S and E England.
    132001.jpg
  • HOUND’S-TONGUE Cynoglossum officinale (Boraginaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright, downy biennial that smells strongly of mice. Grows in dry, grassy places, often on chalky soil and near the coast. FLOWERS are 5-7mm across, maroon and 5-lobed; borne in branched clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS comprise groups of 4 flattened, oval nutlets that are covered in hooked bristles. LEAVES are narrow and hairy; lower ones are stalked. STATUS-Widespread but commonest in S and E England.
    132000.jpg
  • ROUND-LEAVED MINT Mentha suaveolens (Lamiaceae) Height to 70cm. Extremely aromatic perennial that smells distinctly of apples. Has both creeping and upright stems and the whole plant, especially the undersides of the leaves, have a thick coat of woolly hairs. Grows in damp, grassy places. FLOWERS are 3-4mm long and lilac; borne in dense spikes (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval to rounded, hairy and wrinkled. STATUS-Native in W but also escapes from cultivation.
    130678.jpg
  • HOUND’S-TONGUE Cynoglossum officinale (Boraginaceae) Height to 75cm. Upright, downy biennial that smells strongly of mice. Grows in dry, grassy places, often on chalky soil and near the coast. FLOWERS are 5-7mm across, maroon and 5-lobed; borne in branched clusters (Jun-Aug). FRUITS comprise groups of 4 flattened, oval nutlets that are covered in hooked bristles. LEAVES are narrow and hairy; lower ones are stalked. STATUS-Widespread but commonest in S and E England.
    132029.jpg
  • American Skunk Cabbage Lysichiton americanus Height to 15cm Perennial member of Arum family. Smells strongly of ‘skunk’ when in flower. Leaves are up to 80cm long, broad and inrolled at first. Flower comprise a bright yellow spathe and spike-like green spadix. Status Introduced to Britain from North America (mainly as a naturalised garden escape). Now widespread but local in damp woodland.
    133529.jpg
  • American Skunk Cabbage Lysichiton americanus Height to 15cm Perennial member of Arum family. Smells strongly of ‘skunk’ when in flower. Leaves are up to 80cm long, broad and inrolled at first. Flower comprise a bright yellow spathe and spike-like green spadix. Status Introduced to Britain from North America (mainly as a naturalised garden escape). Now widespread but local in damp woodland.
    133528.jpg
  • DWARF ELDER Sambucus ebulus (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 2m. Unpleasant-smelling deciduous shrub or small tree with grooved stems. Grows in hedgerows and scrub, and on roadside verges. FLOWERS are 3-5mm across and pinkish white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 8-15cm across (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are black, poisonous berries that are borne in clusters. LEAVES are divided into 7-13 narrow leaflets. STATUS-Widespread but patchily distributed and mainly in the S.
    131910.jpg
  • Fox Vulpes vulpes Length 95-130cm Adaptable dog-like carnivore but with a catholic diet including fruits and berries. Mainly nocturnal; daytime shelter is called an earth. Adult has thick, mainly orange-brown coat with whitish jaws and underparts are white and white tip to tail. Feet and backs of ears are blackish. Yelping scream is uttered mainly by females for brief period in winter, to mark breeding season. Common, widespread and adaptable, found in towns and cities as well as countryside.
    144291.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    139855.jpg
  • Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff.  Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.
    144173.jpg
  • Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff.  Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.
    144174.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    144187.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    144188.jpg
  • Dwarf Elder Sambucus ebulus (Caprifoliaceae) HEIGHT to 2m<br />
Unpleasant-smelling deciduous shrub or very occasionally a small tree. BARK reddish brown. BRANCHES Arching and grooved, turning red in September. LEAVES Compound, divided into 7-13 narrow leaflets, narrower than those of Elder. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are 3-5mm across and pinkish white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 8-15cm across and appear from June to August. Fruits are black, poisonous berries that are borne in clusters. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Doubtfully native to Britain and Ireland; patchily distributed and generally scarce, being found mainly in the south of the region. Grows in hedgerows and scrub, and on roadside verges.
    135077.jpg
  • Stinking Goosefoot Chenopodium vulvaria. Foul-smelling plant (similar to rotting fish). Overall greyish appearance. Flowers are borne on vitually leafless spikes (July-Aug). Rare and declining plant found around Poole Harbour and near The Fleet in Dorset.
    141400.jpg
  • DWARF ELDER Sambucus ebulus (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 2m. Unpleasant-smelling deciduous shrub or small tree with grooved stems. Grows in hedgerows and scrub, and on roadside verges. FLOWERS are 3-5mm across and pinkish white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 8-15cm across (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are black, poisonous berries that are borne in clusters. LEAVES are divided into 7-13 narrow leaflets. STATUS-Widespread but patchily distributed and mainly in the S.
    132002.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    139856.jpg
  • Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff.  Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.
    141009.jpg
  • Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff.  Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.
    144200.jpg
  • Dwarf Elder Sambucus ebulus (Caprifoliaceae) HEIGHT to 2m<br />
Unpleasant-smelling deciduous shrub or very occasionally a small tree. BARK reddish brown. BRANCHES Arching and grooved, turning red in September. LEAVES Compound, divided into 7-13 narrow leaflets, narrower than those of Elder. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are 3-5mm across and pinkish white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 8-15cm across and appear from June to August. Fruits are black, poisonous berries that are borne in clusters. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Doubtfully native to Britain and Ireland; patchily distributed and generally scarce, being found mainly in the south of the region. Grows in hedgerows and scrub, and on roadside verges.
    135078.jpg
  • Stinking Goosefoot Chenopodium vulvaria. Foul-smelling plant (similar to rotting fish). Overall greyish appearance. Flowers are borne on vitually leafless spikes (July-Aug). Rare and declining plant found around Poole Harbour and near The Fleet in Dorset.
    141398.jpg
  • Stinking Goosefoot Chenopodium vulvaria. Foul-smelling plant (similar to rotting fish). Overall greyish appearance. Flowers are borne on vitually leafless spikes (July-Aug). Rare and declining plant found around Poole Harbour and near The Fleet in Dorset.
    141399.jpg
  • Fox Vulpes vulpes Length 95-130cm Adaptable dog-like carnivore but with a catholic diet including fruits and berries. Mainly nocturnal; daytime shelter is called an earth. Adult has thick, mainly orange-brown coat with whitish jaws and underparts are white and white tip to tail. Feet and backs of ears are blackish. Yelping scream is uttered mainly by females for brief period in winter, to mark breeding season. Common, widespread and adaptable, found in towns and cities as well as countryside.
    144288.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    107263.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    136217.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    139857.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    143274.jpg
  • Adder Vipera berus Length 45-60cm Venomous snake. Hibernates October-March and sunbathes regularly in spring. Males perform wrestling ‘dances’ to determine access to females for mating. Sexes are similar but females are larger than males. Adult ground colour ranges from reddish brown, greenish yellow or grey to creamy buff.  Almost all have a blackish zigzag line along back, anterior end of which looks arrowheaded and framed by inverted ‘V’ marking on head. Melanic ‘Black Adders’ also occur; commonest in N. Juvenile is similar but slender and usually reddish brown. Widespread but local, found on heaths, moors, open woodlands, rough grassland and coastal dunes. Easiest to see in early spring when basking.
    144183.jpg
  • Grass Snake Natrix natrix Length 60-90cm Large non-venomous snake. Hibernates October-April. Hunts on land but also active in water, feeding on frogs and fish. Female lays eggs, often in composting piles of vegetation. Adult has slender body, thickest towards middle evenly tapering towards tail. Ground colour on upperparts is olive-green; has occasional dark vertical stripes on flanks and double row of indistinct dark spots down back. Neck has black and yellow crescent-shaped markings on sides, forming incomplete collar. Scales on under surface are whitish with dark chequering. Has backward-curved teeth that retain struggling prey. Eye has round pupil. Juvenile resembles tiny adult with relatively larger head. Hisses if distressed. Locally common in grassland and heathland, usually in vicinity of water.
    144189.jpg
  • Adder - Vipera berus
    159268.jpg
  • WILD MARJORAM Origanum vulgare (Lamiaceae) Height to 50cm. Downy and tufted perennial. The plant (mainly the leaves) has a pleasantly aromatic smell, familiar to lovers of culinary herbs and the stems are often reddish. Grows in dry grassland on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are maroon when in bud but 6-8mm long and pinkish purple when flowering; borne in dense, terminal clusters that also include purplish bracts (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval, pointed and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and locally common the S but scarce elsewhere.
    155598.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154943.jpg
  • California Nutmeg Torreya californica (Taxaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree with a stout bole in mature specimens, producing high-quality timber. BARK Reddish grey with narrow ridges. BRANCHES long and almost horizontal in mature trees, supporting descending lines of greenish shoots. LEAVES Needle-like with two pale greyish bands on the underside; grow in a row on each side of shoot, and smell of sage if crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Trees are usually either male or female. Male flowers resemble small yellowish catkins, borne on undersides of shoots. Fruits are ovoid, 5cm long, and green with pur¬plish streaks; resemble nutmegs and contain a single (inedible) seed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain woodlands in California. Often planted in mature gardens in Britain.
    134657.jpg
  • Incense Cedar Calocedrus decurrens (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Elegant columnar evergreen with anarrowly rounded crown. BARK Dark and cracked into large reddish-brown flakes. BRANCHES Numerous short upright branches run up the trunk from near ground level. LEAVES Scale-like, in whorls of 4 each bearing a short, incurved, pointed tip, adpressed and concealing shoots; smell of turpentine when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones up to 6mm across, ovoid, deep yellow, and borne at tips of lateral shoots. Female cones are 2–3 cm across when mature, oblong to ovoid and pointed, with 6 scales; 2 large fertile scales have outwardly pointed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of California and Oregon. Very popular ornamental tree in our region.
    132944.jpg
  • Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Medium-sized, columnar, deciduous tree. BARK Thick, reddish-brown, furrowed and aromatic bark. BRANCHES With thin, green shoots, particularly evident after leaf-fall. LEAVES Mostly elliptic and untoothed, to 15cm long and 10cm across, but sometimes with large lobes on either side. Upper surface is bright green and lower surface is bluish-green; leaves turn through yellow and orange to purple in autumn. Crushed leaves have a pleasing smell and to some they taste of orange and vanilla. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are very small, greenish-yellow and without petals, growing in small clusters on separate plants and opening in the spring. Fruit is an ovoid berry, about 1cm long, ripening to a dark blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree of E North America, growing in woods and thickets, and used as a raw ingredient for root beer and tea. Seen in Britain and Ireland in arboreta and well-established gardens.
    132643.jpg
  • WILD CELERY Apium graveolens (Apiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Upright, hairless biennial with a characteristic strong smell of celery. Stems are solid and grooved. Favours rough, often saline, grassland and its distribution is mainly coastal. FLOWERS are white and borne in short-stalked or unstalked umbels, 3-6cm across (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are shiny and pinnate; basal leaves are 1- or 2-pinnate with toothed and lobed, diamond-shaped lobes; stem leaves appear trifoliate.
    103892.jpg
  • DOG’S MERCURY Mercurialis perennis (Euphorbiaceae) Height to 35cm. Hairy, creeping perennial with a foetid smell. Found in woodlands (sometimes forms carpets); also in limestone pavements. FLOWERS are yellowish are rather tiny; in open spikes on separate sex plants (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are hairy. LEAVES are oval, shiny and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and generally common but scarce in N Scotland and Ireland.
    156831.jpg
  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
    154944.jpg
  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
    144427.jpg
  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
    135442.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
  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
    134936.jpg
  • Western Himalayan (Bhutan) Cypress Cupressus torulosa (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 27m. Ovoid crown recalls C. glabra but tree has more open habit. Slender green shoots smell of new-mown grass when crushed. BARK Spirally ridged in older trees. BRANCHES Raised, with descending sprays of looser foliage. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like and unmarked, with minute, incurved points. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are less than 15mm across, each scale with a rounded knob. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W Himalayas, grown in a few old, British gardens. COMMENTS Slow-growing.
    134933.jpg
  • Drooping Juniper Juniperus recurva (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 14m. Small evergreen with ascending branches but drooping foliage. Outline broadly conical. BARK Greyish-brown, peeling in long untidy shreds. LEAVES Tough and needle-like, clasping shoots; paint-like smell when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are yellow, growing in small clusters at tips of shoots. Female cones are produced at ends of shoots and become oval, black and berry-like when mature, growing to 8mm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China and the Himalayas; planted in our region for ornament.
    134918.jpg
  • Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia) Sequoiadendron giganteum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. An outstandingly large evergreen. Forms a striking, narrowly conical tree with a huge tapering bole, ridged and fluted at the base. BARK Thick, spongy and rich-red. BRANCHES lower branches are pendulous, but the upper branches are more level. LEAVES Scale-like, green and up to 1cm long; they clasp the shoots, and smell of aniseed when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The small yellow male cones can be abundant and grow at the tips of the shoots, releasing their pollen in spring. Female cones are solitary, sometimes paired, and ovoid, up to 8cm long and 5cm in diameter when ripe, with a deep brown colour and a corky texture. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Sierra Nevada in California. First discovered in 1852, it was soon introduced into Britain, where it thrives best in the west.
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  • Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia) Sequoiadendron giganteum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. An outstandingly large evergreen. Forms a striking, narrowly conical tree with a huge tapering bole, ridged and fluted at the base. BARK Thick, spongy and rich-red. BRANCHES lower branches are pendulous, but the upper branches are more level. LEAVES Scale-like, green and up to 1cm long; they clasp the shoots, and smell of aniseed when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The small yellow male cones can be abundant and grow at the tips of the shoots, releasing their pollen in spring. Female cones are solitary, sometimes paired, and ovoid, up to 8cm long and 5cm in diameter when ripe, with a deep brown colour and a corky texture. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Sierra Nevada in California. First discovered in 1852, it was soon introduced into Britain, where it thrives best in the west.
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  • Northern White Cedar Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES Flattened, fern-like sprays of foliage show white, waxy bands below. Crushed leaves smell of apple and cloves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones recall those of Western Red Cedar; female cones have rounded tips to cone scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Does not thrive here.
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  • Northern White Cedar Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES Flattened, fern-like sprays of foliage show white, waxy bands below. Crushed leaves smell of apple and cloves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones recall those of Western Red Cedar; female cones have rounded tips to cone scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Does not thrive here.
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  • Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Medium-sized, columnar, deciduous tree. BARK Thick, reddish-brown, furrowed and aromatic bark. BRANCHES With thin, green shoots, particularly evident after leaf-fall. LEAVES Mostly elliptic and untoothed, to 15cm long and 10cm across, but sometimes with large lobes on either side. Upper surface is bright green and lower surface is bluish-green; leaves turn through yellow and orange to purple in autumn. Crushed leaves have a pleasing smell and to some they taste of orange and vanilla. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are very small, greenish-yellow and without petals, growing in small clusters on separate plants and opening in the spring. Fruit is an ovoid berry, about 1cm long, ripening to a dark blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree of E North America, growing in woods and thickets, and used as a raw ingredient for root beer and tea. Seen in Britain and Ireland in arboreta and well-established gardens.
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  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
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  • Rum Cherry (Black Cherry) Prunus serotina (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. A spreading deciduous tree with a stout trunk. BARK Greyish, peeling away in strips and fissured in older trees; a strange, bitter smell is released if the bark is damaged. BRANCHES Spreading and dense, the outer extremes sometimes weeping. LEAVES Larger than those of Bird Cherry at up to 14cm long, shiny above and with fine forward-pointing teeth on the margin; the midrib on the underside has patches of hairs along it, which help separate this species from other similar cherries. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are very similar to those of Bird Cherry, but the spike may contain fewer than 30 flowers, the pedicels are shorter and the white petals are toothed at the margins. The black fruits contain a bitter-tasting flesh and a rounded smooth stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of N America, planted for timber and ornament in much of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, and naturalised in many places, including S England.
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  • Incense Cedar Calocedrus decurrens (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Elegant columnar evergreen with anarrowly rounded crown. BARK Dark and cracked into large reddish-brown flakes. BRANCHES Numerous short upright branches run up the trunk from near ground level. LEAVES Scale-like, in whorls of 4 each bearing a short, incurved, pointed tip, adpressed and concealing shoots; smell of turpentine when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones up to 6mm across, ovoid, deep yellow, and borne at tips of lateral shoots. Female cones are 2–3 cm across when mature, oblong to ovoid and pointed, with 6 scales; 2 large fertile scales have outwardly pointed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of California and Oregon. Very popular ornamental tree in our region.
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  • WILD MARJORAM Origanum vulgare (Lamiaceae) Height to 50cm. Downy and tufted perennial. The plant (mainly the leaves) has a pleasantly aromatic smell, familiar to lovers of culinary herbs and the stems are often reddish. Grows in dry grassland on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are maroon when in bud but 6-8mm long and pinkish purple when flowering; borne in dense, terminal clusters that also include purplish bracts (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are oval, pointed and borne in opposite pairs. STATUS-Widespread and locally common the S but scarce elsewhere.
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  • STONE PARSLEY Sison amomum (Apiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Upright, bushy perennial with an unpleasant smell (nutmeg and petrol) when bruised. Found in grassy places on clay soils. FLOWERS are white and borne in open umbels, 1-4cm across, with unequal rays (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are fresh green; lower ones have oval leaflets, upper ones have narrow leaflets. STATUS-Local, in S.
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  • STONE PARSLEY Sison amomum (Apiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Upright, bushy perennial with an unpleasant smell (nutmeg and petrol) when bruised. Found in grassy places on clay soils. FLOWERS are white and borne in open umbels, 1-4cm across, with unequal rays (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are globular. LEAVES are fresh green; lower ones have oval leaflets, upper ones have narrow leaflets. STATUS-Local, in S.
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  • MOTHERWORT Leonurus cardiaca (Lamiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Upright, unbranched and variably downy perennial with a pungent smell and historical association with midwifery. Grows on verges and in shady hedgerows and waste ground, usually close to habitation. FLOWERS are 10-15mm long and pink of white, the upper lip being hairy; borne in whorls with striking calyx teeth (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are long-stalked; upper ones are deeply palmately lobed while upper ones are toothed. STATUS-Naturalised in a few, scattered locations across the region.
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  • MOTHERWORT Leonurus cardiaca (Lamiaceae) Height to 1m<br />
Upright, unbranched and variably downy perennial with a pungent smell and historical association with midwifery. Grows on verges and in shady hedgerows and waste ground, usually close to habitation. FLOWERS are 10-15mm long and pink of white, the upper lip being hairy; borne in whorls with striking calyx teeth (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are long-stalked; upper ones are deeply palmately lobed while upper ones are toothed. STATUS-Naturalised in a few, scattered locations across the region.
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  • BLACK HOREHOUND Ballota nigra (Lamiaceae) Height to 50cm. Straggly, bushy and hairy perennial that has a pungent and unpleasant smell when bruised. Grows on disturbed ground and roadside verges. FLOWERS are 12-18mm long and pinkish purple with a concave upper lip; borne in whorls with striking calyx teeth (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are stalked and ovate or heart-shaped. STATUS-Widespread and locally common in England and Wales but scarce or absent elsewhere.
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  • DOG’S MERCURY Mercurialis perennis (Euphorbiaceae) Height to 35cm. Hairy, creeping perennial with a foetid smell. Found in woodlands (sometimes forms carpets); also in limestone pavements. FLOWERS are yellowish are rather tiny; in open spikes on separate sex plants (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are hairy. LEAVES are oval, shiny and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and generally common but scarce in N Scotland and Ireland.
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  • CAT-MINT Nepeta cataria (Lamiaceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Upright, greyish and downy perennial. The whole plant has a minty smell that cats do indeed find alluring. Grows in dry, grassy places, including verges and hedgerows, often on chalky soils. FLOWERS are 8-12mm long and white with purple spots; borne in whorls and clustered, terminal heads (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are nutlets. LEAVES are heart-shaped, toothed and stalked, downy below and woolly above. STATUS-Widespread but local in S England and S Wales; sometimes naturalised as a garden escape elsewhere.
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  • STINKING IRIS Iris foetidissima (Iridaceae) Height to 60cm<br />
Tufted perennial of scrub and woodlands, mostly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 7-8cm across, purplish and veined (May-Jul). FRUITS are green, oblong and 3-sided, splitting to reveal orange seeds. LEAVES are dark green and sword-shaped, with an unpleasant smell. STATUS-Locally common only in S England and S Wales.
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  • House Mouse Mus domesticus Length 14-19cm Ancestor of domesticated pet mice. Diet is varied. Presence detected by musky smell. Adult has a compact head and body, roughly the same length as tail. Coat ranges from yellowish brown to grey brown and is darker above than below. Ears are relatively large. Utters high-pitched squeaks. Probably introduced to Britain during Iron Age. Formerly abundant but now less so. Favours sites where food is stored (factories and farm barns) and has truly commensal association with Man
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  • DOG’S MERCURY Mercurialis perennis (Euphorbiaceae) Height to 35cm. Hairy, creeping perennial with a foetid smell. Found in woodlands (sometimes forms carpets); also in limestone pavements. FLOWERS are yellowish are rather tiny; in open spikes on separate sex plants (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are hairy. LEAVES are oval, shiny and toothed. STATUS-Widespread and generally common but scarce in N Scotland and Ireland.
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  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
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  • LIZARD ORCHID Himantoglossum hircinum (Orchidaceae) Height to 1m. Extraordinary orchid of scrub, undisturbed grassland and stabilised dunes. Bizarrely, the flowers smell of goats. FLOWERS have a greenish grey hood, adorned on the inside with reddish streaks, and an extremely long and twisted lip (up to 5cm); borne in tall spikes (May-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise oval basal leaves that soon wither, and smaller stem leaves that persist. STATUS-Regularly seen in E Kent only; very occasionally turns up elsewhere.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • Western Himalayan (Bhutan) Cypress Cupressus torulosa (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 27m. Ovoid crown recalls C. glabra but tree has more open habit. Slender green shoots smell of new-mown grass when crushed. BARK Spirally ridged in older trees. BRANCHES Raised, with descending sprays of looser foliage. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like and unmarked, with minute, incurved points. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are less than 15mm across, each scale with a rounded knob. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W Himalayas, grown in a few old, British gardens. COMMENTS Slow-growing.
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  • Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia) Sequoiadendron giganteum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. An outstandingly large evergreen. Forms a striking, narrowly conical tree with a huge tapering bole, ridged and fluted at the base. BARK Thick, spongy and rich-red. BRANCHES lower branches are pendulous, but the upper branches are more level. LEAVES Scale-like, green and up to 1cm long; they clasp the shoots, and smell of aniseed when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The small yellow male cones can be abundant and grow at the tips of the shoots, releasing their pollen in spring. Female cones are solitary, sometimes paired, and ovoid, up to 8cm long and 5cm in diameter when ripe, with a deep brown colour and a corky texture. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Sierra Nevada in California. First discovered in 1852, it was soon introduced into Britain, where it thrives best in the west.
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  • Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia) Sequoiadendron giganteum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. An outstandingly large evergreen. Forms a striking, narrowly conical tree with a huge tapering bole, ridged and fluted at the base. BARK Thick, spongy and rich-red. BRANCHES lower branches are pendulous, but the upper branches are more level. LEAVES Scale-like, green and up to 1cm long; they clasp the shoots, and smell of aniseed when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The small yellow male cones can be abundant and grow at the tips of the shoots, releasing their pollen in spring. Female cones are solitary, sometimes paired, and ovoid, up to 8cm long and 5cm in diameter when ripe, with a deep brown colour and a corky texture. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Sierra Nevada in California. First discovered in 1852, it was soon introduced into Britain, where it thrives best in the west.
    134996.jpg
  • Western Himalayan (Bhutan) Cypress Cupressus torulosa (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 27m. Ovoid crown recalls C. glabra but tree has more open habit. Slender green shoots smell of new-mown grass when crushed. BARK Spirally ridged in older trees. BRANCHES Raised, with descending sprays of looser foliage. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like and unmarked, with minute, incurved points. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are less than 15mm across, each scale with a rounded knob. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W Himalayas, grown in a few old, British gardens. COMMENTS Slow-growing.
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  • Western Himalayan (Bhutan) Cypress Cupressus torulosa (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 27m. Ovoid crown recalls C. glabra but tree has more open habit. Slender green shoots smell of new-mown grass when crushed. BARK Spirally ridged in older trees. BRANCHES Raised, with descending sprays of looser foliage. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like and unmarked, with minute, incurved points. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are less than 15mm across, each scale with a rounded knob. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W Himalayas, grown in a few old, British gardens. COMMENTS Slow-growing.
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  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
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  • Nootka Cypress Chamaecyparis nootkatensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, forming an elegant conical tree. BRANCHES Slightly upturned with pendulous shoots. LEAVES Tough and scale-like. Unpleasant smell when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow. Cones blue in first year, ripening through green to brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Discovered near Nootka, on Vancouver Island; occurs elsewhere in Pacific North-west. Intolerant of lime-rich soils. COMMENTS Hardy.
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  • Incense Cedar Calocedrus decurrens (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Elegant columnar evergreen with anarrowly rounded crown. BARK Dark and cracked into large reddish-brown flakes. BRANCHES Numerous short upright branches run up the trunk from near ground level. LEAVES Scale-like, in whorls of 4 each bearing a short, incurved, pointed tip, adpressed and concealing shoots; smell of turpentine when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones up to 6mm across, ovoid, deep yellow, and borne at tips of lateral shoots. Female cones are 2–3 cm across when mature, oblong to ovoid and pointed, with 6 scales; 2 large fertile scales have outwardly pointed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of California and Oregon. Very popular ornamental tree in our region.
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  • Incense Cedar Calocedrus decurrens (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Elegant columnar evergreen with anarrowly rounded crown. BARK Dark and cracked into large reddish-brown flakes. BRANCHES Numerous short upright branches run up the trunk from near ground level. LEAVES Scale-like, in whorls of 4 each bearing a short, incurved, pointed tip, adpressed and concealing shoots; smell of turpentine when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones up to 6mm across, ovoid, deep yellow, and borne at tips of lateral shoots. Female cones are 2–3 cm across when mature, oblong to ovoid and pointed, with 6 scales; 2 large fertile scales have outwardly pointed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of California and Oregon. Very popular ornamental tree in our region.
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  • Northern White Cedar Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES Flattened, fern-like sprays of foliage show white, waxy bands below. Crushed leaves smell of apple and cloves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones recall those of Western Red Cedar; female cones have rounded tips to cone scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Does not thrive here.
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  • Rum Cherry (Black Cherry) Prunus serotina (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. A spreading deciduous tree with a stout trunk. BARK Greyish, peeling away in strips and fissured in older trees; a strange, bitter smell is released if the bark is damaged. BRANCHES Spreading and dense, the outer extremes sometimes weeping. LEAVES Larger than those of Bird Cherry at up to 14cm long, shiny above and with fine forward-pointing teeth on the margin; the midrib on the underside has patches of hairs along it, which help separate this species from other similar cherries. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are very similar to those of Bird Cherry, but the spike may contain fewer than 30 flowers, the pedicels are shorter and the white petals are toothed at the margins. The black fruits contain a bitter-tasting flesh and a rounded smooth stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of N America, planted for timber and ornament in much of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, and naturalised in many places, including S England.
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  • Rum Cherry (Black Cherry) Prunus serotina (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. A spreading deciduous tree with a stout trunk. BARK Greyish, peeling away in strips and fissured in older trees; a strange, bitter smell is released if the bark is damaged. BRANCHES Spreading and dense, the outer extremes sometimes weeping. LEAVES Larger than those of Bird Cherry at up to 14cm long, shiny above and with fine forward-pointing teeth on the margin; the midrib on the underside has patches of hairs along it, which help separate this species from other similar cherries. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are very similar to those of Bird Cherry, but the spike may contain fewer than 30 flowers, the pedicels are shorter and the white petals are toothed at the margins. The black fruits contain a bitter-tasting flesh and a rounded smooth stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of N America, planted for timber and ornament in much of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, and naturalised in many places, including S England.
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  • Rum Cherry (Black Cherry) Prunus serotina (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. A spreading deciduous tree with a stout trunk. BARK Greyish, peeling away in strips and fissured in older trees; a strange, bitter smell is released if the bark is damaged. BRANCHES Spreading and dense, the outer extremes sometimes weeping. LEAVES Larger than those of Bird Cherry at up to 14cm long, shiny above and with fine forward-pointing teeth on the margin; the midrib on the underside has patches of hairs along it, which help separate this species from other similar cherries. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are very similar to those of Bird Cherry, but the spike may contain fewer than 30 flowers, the pedicels are shorter and the white petals are toothed at the margins. The black fruits contain a bitter-tasting flesh and a rounded smooth stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of N America, planted for timber and ornament in much of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, and naturalised in many places, including S England.
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  • Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia) Sequoiadendron giganteum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. An outstandingly large evergreen. Forms a striking, narrowly conical tree with a huge tapering bole, ridged and fluted at the base. BARK Thick, spongy and rich-red. BRANCHES lower branches are pendulous, but the upper branches are more level. LEAVES Scale-like, green and up to 1cm long; they clasp the shoots, and smell of aniseed when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The small yellow male cones can be abundant and grow at the tips of the shoots, releasing their pollen in spring. Female cones are solitary, sometimes paired, and ovoid, up to 8cm long and 5cm in diameter when ripe, with a deep brown colour and a corky texture. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Sierra Nevada in California. First discovered in 1852, it was soon introduced into Britain, where it thrives best in the west.
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  • Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Medium-sized, columnar, deciduous tree. BARK Thick, reddish-brown, furrowed and aromatic bark. BRANCHES With thin, green shoots, particularly evident after leaf-fall. LEAVES Mostly elliptic and untoothed, to 15cm long and 10cm across, but sometimes with large lobes on either side. Upper surface is bright green and lower surface is bluish-green; leaves turn through yellow and orange to purple in autumn. Crushed leaves have a pleasing smell and to some they taste of orange and vanilla. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are very small, greenish-yellow and without petals, growing in small clusters on separate plants and opening in the spring. Fruit is an ovoid berry, about 1cm long, ripening to a dark blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree of E North America, growing in woods and thickets, and used as a raw ingredient for root beer and tea. Seen in Britain and Ireland in arboreta and well-established gardens.
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  • Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Medium-sized, columnar, deciduous tree. BARK Thick, reddish-brown, furrowed and aromatic bark. BRANCHES With thin, green shoots, particularly evident after leaf-fall. LEAVES Mostly elliptic and untoothed, to 15cm long and 10cm across, but sometimes with large lobes on either side. Upper surface is bright green and lower surface is bluish-green; leaves turn through yellow and orange to purple in autumn. Crushed leaves have a pleasing smell and to some they taste of orange and vanilla. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are very small, greenish-yellow and without petals, growing in small clusters on separate plants and opening in the spring. Fruit is an ovoid berry, about 1cm long, ripening to a dark blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree of E North America, growing in woods and thickets, and used as a raw ingredient for root beer and tea. Seen in Britain and Ireland in arboreta and well-established gardens.
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  • Drooping Juniper Juniperus recurva (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 14m. Small evergreen with ascending branches but drooping foliage. Outline broadly conical. BARK Greyish-brown, peeling in long untidy shreds. LEAVES Tough and needle-like, clasping shoots; paint-like smell when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are yellow, growing in small clusters at tips of shoots. Female cones are produced at ends of shoots and become oval, black and berry-like when mature, growing to 8mm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China and the Himalayas; planted in our region for ornament.
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  • Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia) Sequoiadendron giganteum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. An outstandingly large evergreen in its native California, and even in Britain it has grown to become the tallest tree in many areas. Forms a striking, narrowly conical tree with a huge tapering bole, ridged and fluted at the base. BARK Thick, spongy and rich-red. BRANCHES lower branches, which may not start for several metres above the ground, are pendulous, but the upper branches are more level. LEAVES Scale-like, green and up to 1cm long; they clasp the shoots, and smell of aniseed when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The small yellow male cones can be abundant and grow at the tips of the shoots, releasing their pollen in spring. Female cones are solitary, sometimes paired, and ovoid, up to 8cm long and 5cm in diameter when ripe, with a deep brown colour and a corky texture. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Sierra Nevada in California, where it grows in groves on the western slopes of the mountains. First discovered in 1852, it was soon introduced into Britain, where it thrives best in the west.
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  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
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  • Western Himalayan (Bhutan) Cypress Cupressus torulosa (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 27m. Ovoid crown recalls C. glabra but tree has more open habit. Slender green shoots smell of new-mown grass when crushed. BARK Spirally ridged in older trees. BRANCHES Raised, with descending sprays of looser foliage. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like and unmarked, with minute, incurved points. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are less than 15mm across, each scale with a rounded knob. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W Himalayas, grown in a few old, British gardens. COMMENTS Slow-growing.
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  • Northern White Cedar Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES Flattened, fern-like sprays of foliage show white, waxy bands below. Crushed leaves smell of apple and cloves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones recall those of Western Red Cedar; female cones have rounded tips to cone scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Does not thrive here.
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  • Wellingtonia (Giant Sequoia) Sequoiadendron giganteum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. An outstandingly large evergreen in its native California, and even in Britain it has grown to become the tallest tree in many areas. Forms a striking, narrowly conical tree with a huge tapering bole, ridged and fluted at the base. BARK Thick, spongy and rich-red. BRANCHES lower branches, which may not start for several metres above the ground, are pendulous, but the upper branches are more level. LEAVES Scale-like, green and up to 1cm long; they clasp the shoots, and smell of aniseed when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The small yellow male cones can be abundant and grow at the tips of the shoots, releasing their pollen in spring. Female cones are solitary, sometimes paired, and ovoid, up to 8cm long and 5cm in diameter when ripe, with a deep brown colour and a corky texture. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Sierra Nevada in California, where it grows in groves on the western slopes of the mountains. First discovered in 1852, it was soon introduced into Britain, where it thrives best in the west.
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  • 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.
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  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
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  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
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  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
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