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  • TALL RAMPING-FUMITORY Fumaria bastardii (Fumariaceae) Height to 15cm. Robust upright annual of arable fields and waste ground. FLOWERS are 9-11mm long, pink with a purple tip, the lower petal parallel-sided (not paddle-shaped); borne in spikes of 15-25 flowers (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are globular and 1-seeded. LEAVES are much-divided. STATUS-Widespread and fairly common only in W Britain and Ireland.
    141387.jpg
  • FOXGLOVE Digitalis purpurea (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 1.5m. Familiar, greyish and downy biennial or short-lived perennial. Grows in woodlands and on moors and sea cliffs, thriving best on acid soils and appearing in good quantity on recently cleared ground. FLOWERS are 4-5cm long, the corolla pinkish purple (sometimes white forms are found) with darker spots in the throat; borne in tall and elegant, terminal spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are green capsules. LEAVES are 20-30cm long, downy, oval and wrinkled; form a rosette in the 1st year from which the flowering spike appears in the 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
    153668.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    144537.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    144536.jpg
  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
    135424.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    135176.jpg
  • Santa Lucia Fir Abies bracteata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 38m <br />
Tall, narrowly conical evergreen with tapering crown, strong foliage and pointed buds. BARK Black, marked with scars of fallen branches. LEAVES Sharp-spined needles, up to 5cm long, dark green above with 2 light bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Bright-green cones, up to 10cm long, are distinctive with their long projecting hair-like bracts, which persist throughout summer. Flowers are small and insignificant; males yellowish, growing on underside of shoot, females green, growing on top of shoot. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare native of S California. Does well in rainier parts of our region.
    135062.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    134992.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    134993.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    134991.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    134776.jpg
  • Western Larch Larix occidentalis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Largest of all the larches, although it rarely reaches its maximum height away from its native range. A tall, slender, conical tree. BARK Grey and scaly, forming deep fissures low down. BRANCHES slightly ascending and short with red-brown shoots. LEAVES Soft needles up to 4cm long, borne in tufts on side-shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow, and pendent below the shoots; female flowers are red and upright above the shoot on the same tree. Both open in spring. Cones are ovoid, 4cm long, with long bracts protruding from between the scales, distinguishing this from all other larches. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION native of mountains of British Columbia, south to Oregon. Introduced in 1881 into Britain, where there are now some very fine specimens in mature collections.
    134698.jpg
  • Japanese Red-cedar Cryptomeria japonica (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Tall, narrowly conical evergreen on a rapidly tapering bole. BARK Thin, hard bark, peeling in thin shreds. BRANCHES Mainly level. LEAVES Narrow, claw-like and yellowish-green, pointing towards the shoot-tip. Foliage character distinguishes this species from Coastal Redwood, as does thin bark. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones produced on same tree but on different shoots. small yellow male cones are borne in clusters at tips of shoots and release pollen in early spring. Mature female cones are covered with feathery scales, unique to this tree, giving the appearance of brownish globular flowers. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China and Japan. Present here since 1842, and commonest in the west.
    134654.jpg
  • Western Larch Larix occidentalis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Largest of all the larches, although it rarely reaches its maximum height away from its native range. A tall, slender, conical tree. BARK Grey and scaly, forming deep fissures low down. BRANCHES slightly ascending and short with red-brown shoots. LEAVES Soft needles up to 4cm long, borne in tufts on side-shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow, and pendent below the shoots; female flowers are red and upright above the shoot on the same tree. Both open in spring. Cones are ovoid, 4cm long, with long bracts protruding from between the scales, distinguishing this from all other larches. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION native of mountains of British Columbia, south to Oregon. Introduced in 1881 into Britain, where there are now some very fine specimens in mature collections.
    134625.jpg
  • Western Red Cedar Thuja plicata (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 45m Tall, conical with buttressed trunk and upright leading shoot. BARK Reddish-brown with fibrous plates. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like, clasping shoots in alternate, opposite pairs; glossy, dark green above, paler below with pale markings. Crushed leaves pineapple-scented. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones on separate trees. Small yellow or brownish male cones grow at shoot tips. Female cones ovoid, up to 1.2cm long, with 8-10 spine-tipped scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W USA, grown here for timber or ornament.
    134616.jpg
  • Western Larch Larix occidentalis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Largest of all the larches, although it rarely reaches its maximum height away from its native range. A tall, slender, conical tree. BARK Grey and scaly, forming deep fissures low down. BRANCHES slightly ascending and short with red-brown shoots. LEAVES Soft needles up to 4cm long, borne in tufts on side-shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow, and pendent below the shoots; female flowers are red and upright above the shoot on the same tree. Both open in spring. Cones are ovoid, 4cm long, with long bracts protruding from between the scales, distinguishing this from all other larches. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION native of mountains of British Columbia, south to Oregon. Introduced in 1881 into Britain, where there are now some very fine specimens in mature collections.
    134547.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    133983.jpg
  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
    133837.jpg
  • Dutch Elm Ulmus x hollandica (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Tall and rather straggly hybrid tree.  BARK Brown, cracking into small, shallow plates. BRANCHES Higher branches are longer than ones lower down, and are spreading. LEAVES Oval, toothed, to 15cm long, sometimes buckled. Leaf base is only slightly unequal. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruits. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A naturally occurring hybrid, whose parents are presumed to include Wych Elm, Plot’s Elm and Ulmus minor. Has a scattered range across southern England and south-west Wales and is found in hedgerows in lowland districts.
    133657.jpg
  • Dutch Elm Ulmus x hollandica (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Tall and rather straggly hybrid tree.  BARK Brown, cracking into small, shallow plates. BRANCHES Higher branches are longer than ones lower down, and are spreading. LEAVES Oval, toothed, to 15cm long, sometimes buckled. Leaf base is only slightly unequal. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruits. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A naturally occurring hybrid, whose parents are presumed to include Wych Elm, Plot’s Elm and Ulmus minor. Has a scattered range across southern England and south-west Wales and is found in hedgerows in lowland districts.
    133644.jpg
  • Dutch Elm Ulmus x hollandica (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Tall and rather straggly hybrid tree.  BARK Brown, cracking into small, shallow plates. BRANCHES Higher branches are longer than ones lower down, and are spreading. LEAVES Oval, toothed, to 15cm long, sometimes buckled. Leaf base is only slightly unequal. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruits. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A naturally occurring hybrid, whose parents are presumed to include Wych Elm, Plot’s Elm and Ulmus minor. Has a scattered range across southern England and south-west Wales and is found in hedgerows in lowland districts.
    133638.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    133282.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    133240.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    132941.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    132940.jpg
  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
    132939.jpg
  • Japanese Red-cedar Cryptomeria japonica (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Tall, narrowly conical evergreen on a rapidly tapering bole. BARK Thin, hard bark, peeling in thin shreds. BRANCHES Mainly level. LEAVES Narrow, claw-like and yellowish-green, pointing towards the shoot-tip. Foliage character distinguishes this species from Coastal Redwood, as does thin bark. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones produced on same tree but on different shoots. small yellow male cones are borne in clusters at tips of shoots and release pollen in early spring. Mature female cones are covered with feathery scales, unique to this tree, giving the appearance of brownish globular flowers. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China and Japan. Present here since 1842, and commonest in the west.
    132862.jpg
  • Santa Lucia Fir Abies bracteata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 38m <br />
Tall, narrowly conical evergreen with tapering crown, strong foliage and pointed buds. BARK Black, marked with scars of fallen branches. LEAVES Sharp-spined needles, up to 5cm long, dark green above with 2 light bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Bright-green cones, up to 10cm long, are distinctive with their long projecting hair-like bracts, which persist throughout summer. Flowers are small and insignificant; males yellowish, growing on underside of shoot, females green, growing on top of shoot. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare native of S California. Does well in rainier parts of our region.
    132805.jpg
  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
    132715.jpg
  • Honey Locust Gleditsia triacanthos (Fabaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Tall deciduous tree with a high, domed crown; bole, branches and twigs are spiny. BARK Greyish purple. BRANCHES Mainly level, with curled twigs. LEAVES Alternate, either pinnate, with up to 18 pairs of 2–3cm-long leaflets, or bipinnate, with up to 14 leaflets no more than 2cm long. Leaf axes end in spines. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Tiny flowers open in June, are no more than 3mm long, may be male, female or both, and grow in compact clusters in leaf axils; greenish-white oval petals number from 3 to 5. Flattened pods with thickened edges, to 45cm long, are twisted or curved and become dark brown when ripe. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Mississippi basin of N America, planted here for ornament.
    132305.jpg
  • Honey Locust Gleditsia triacanthos (Fabaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Tall deciduous tree with a high, domed crown; bole, branches and twigs are spiny. BARK Greyish purple. BRANCHES Mainly level, with curled twigs. LEAVES Alternate, either pinnate, with up to 18 pairs of 2–3cm-long leaflets, or bipinnate, with up to 14 leaflets no more than 2cm long. Leaf axes end in spines. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Tiny flowers open in June, are no more than 3mm long, may be male, female or both, and grow in compact clusters in leaf axils; greenish-white oval petals number from 3 to 5. Flattened pods with thickened edges, to 45cm long, are twisted or curved and become dark brown when ripe. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Mississippi basin of N America, planted here for ornament.
    132304.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130525.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130465.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130444.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130450.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130436.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130435.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130428.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130425.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130420.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130260.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    125345.jpg
  • Western Red Cedar Thuja plicata (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 45m Tall, conical with buttressed trunk and upright leading shoot. BARK Reddish-brown with fibrous plates. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like, clasping shoots in alternate, opposite pairs; glossy, dark green above, paler below with pale markings. Crushed leaves pineapple-scented. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones on separate trees. Small yellow or brownish male cones grow at shoot tips. Female cones ovoid, up to 1.2cm long, with 8-10 spine-tipped scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W USA, grown here for timber or ornament.
    125067.jpg
  • Honey Locust Gleditsia triacanthos (Fabaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Tall deciduous tree with a high, domed crown; bole, branches and twigs are spiny. BARK Greyish purple. BRANCHES Mainly level, with curled twigs. LEAVES Alternate, either pinnate, with up to 18 pairs of 2–3cm-long leaflets, or bipinnate, with up to 14 leaflets no more than 2cm long. Leaf axes end in spines. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Tiny flowers open in June, are no more than 3mm long, may be male, female or both, and grow in compact clusters in leaf axils; greenish-white oval petals number from 3 to 5. Flattened pods with thickened edges, to 45cm long, are twisted or curved and become dark brown when ripe. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Mississippi basin of N America, planted here for ornament.
    117601.jpg
  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
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  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    108118.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    105805.jpg
  • Maidenhair Tree Ginkgo biloba (Ginkgoaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Tall, slender to slightly conical deciduous tree with one main trunk. BARK Grey-brown, corky and deeply ridged in mature trees. BRANCHES spreading with long, greenish-brown shoots, which in turn bear shorter brown shoots. LEAVES Yellowish-green to dark-green, fan-shaped, divided at least once and up to 10-12cm long; radiating veins reach margins. Leaves on long shoots widely separated; those on the short shoots close-packed. FLOWERS Male catkins yellow, in small upright clusters; female flowers grow singly on a 5cm-long pedicel. Flowers seldom seen in Britain; most mature trees in our region are male. FRUITS to 3cm long and usually ovoid, containing a single seed inside a harder shell. Green at first, yellowing with age, becoming foul-smelling. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chekiang Province of China. Endangered in the wild but widely cultivated.
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  • TOWER MUSTARD Arabis glabra. Tall (height to 1m); greyish, arrow-shaped, clasping leaves with tiny pale flowers. Scarce on dry ground in south.
    133851.jpg
  • TOWER MUSTARD Arabis glabra. Tall (height to 1m); greyish, arrow-shaped, clasping leaves with tiny pale flowers. Scarce on dry ground in south.
    133849.jpg
  • TOWER MUSTARD Arabis glabra. Tall (height to 1m); greyish, arrow-shaped, clasping leaves with tiny pale flowers. Scarce on dry ground in south.
    133848.jpg
  • HEMP-AGRIMONY Eupatorium cannabinum (Asteraceae) Height to 1.5m. Tall, upright and downy perennial that grows mainly in damp grassland and marshes, but (perhaps surprisingly) also in scrub on chalk. FLOWERS are dull pinkish lilac; borne in heads, 2-5mm across, comprising 5-6 florets, in rather dense, terminal clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are 1-seeded with pappus hairs. LEAVES are trifoliate and borne in opposite pairs up the stem. STATUS-Widespread and common, except in N.
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  • FEN RAGWORT Senecio paludosus. Height to 2m. A tall, downy perennial of damp soils. Flowers are yellow and 3-4cm across (June-Aug), and the leaves are narrow, lanceolate toothed and 15-20cm long. Rare and restricted to a few fenland sites.
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  • COTTON THISTLE Onopordum acanthium (Asteraceae) Height to 2.5m. Tall biennial with strongly winged stems armed with spines and coated in cottony down. Grows on waste and disturbed ground, and on verges. FLOWERS are borne in heads, 30-35mm across, with reddish purple florets and a globular base covered in spine-tipped bracts; in clusters (Jul-Sep). FRUITS have unbranched pappus hairs. LEAVES are oblong with wavy, spiny lobes; cottony on both surfaces. STATUS-Possibly introduced; now widespread and local in S and E England but scarce or absent elsewhere.
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  • FALSE OAT-GRASS Arrhenatherum elatius Height to 1.5m<br />
Tall, often tufted perennial of disturbed grassland, roadside verges and waysides. FLOWERS are borne in an open inflorescence comprising numerous 2-flowered spikelets, one floral element of which has a long awn (May-Sep). FRUITS are small, dry nutlets. LEAVES are broad and long with a blunt ligule. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • GREATER BUTTERFLY-ORCHID Platanthera chlorantha (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Tall and elegant orchid of undisturbed woodland, scrub and grassland, mostly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are greenish white with a long, narrow lip, a long spur (15-25mm) and pollen sacs that form an inverted ‘v’; borne in open spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise a single pair at the base of the plant and a few smaller stem leaves. STATUS-Widespread but local.
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  • GREATER BUTTERFLY-ORCHID Platanthera chlorantha (Orchidaceae) Height to 50cm. Tall and elegant orchid of undisturbed woodland, scrub and grassland, mostly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are greenish white with a long, narrow lip, a long spur (15-25mm) and pollen sacs that form an inverted ‘v’; borne in open spikes (Jun-Jul). FRUITS form and swell at the base of the flowers. LEAVES comprise a single pair at the base of the plant and a few smaller stem leaves. STATUS-Widespread but local.
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  • GREATER CELANDINE Chelidonium majus (Papaveraceae) Height to 80cm. Tall, brittle-stemmed perennial. Found in hedgerows and along woodland rides. FLOWERS are 2-3cm across and comprise 4 non-overlapping bright yellow petals (Apr-Oct). FRUITS are narrow capsules that split from below when ripe. LEAVES are grey-green and pinnately divided. STATUS-Native in most areas; also naturalised as a garden escape.
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  • Western Red-cedar Thuja plicata (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 45m Tall, conical with buttressed trunk and upright leading shoot. BARK Reddish-brown with fibrous plates. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like, clasping shoots in alternate, opposite pairs; glossy, dark green above, paler below with pale markings. Crushed leaves pineapple-scented. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones on separate trees. Small yellow or brownish male cones grow at shoot tips. Female cones ovoid, up to 1.2cm long, with 8-10 spine-tipped scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W USA, grown here for timber or ornament.
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  • FOXGLOVE Digitalis purpurea (Scrophulariaceae) Height to 1.5m. Familiar, greyish and downy biennial or short-lived perennial. Grows in woodlands and on moors and sea cliffs, thriving best on acid soils and appearing in good quantity on recently cleared ground. FLOWERS are 4-5cm long, the corolla pinkish purple (sometimes white forms are found) with darker spots in the throat; borne in tall and elegant, terminal spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are green capsules. LEAVES are 20-30cm long, downy, oval and wrinkled; form a rosette in the 1st year from which the flowering spike appears in the 2nd. STATUS-Widespread and common throughout.
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  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
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  • European Fan Palm Chamaerops humilis Height to 3m<br />
Can develop into a tall tree but grazing usually limits stature. Palmate leaves are deeply divided and up to 1m across. Flowers are borne on 30cm long spikes. Fruits are rounded and yellow. Widespread across Mediterranean, mainly near coasts.
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  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
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  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
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  • Santa Lucia Fir Abies bracteata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 38m <br />
Tall, narrowly conical evergreen with tapering crown, strong foliage and pointed buds. BARK Black, marked with scars of fallen branches. LEAVES Sharp-spined needles, up to 5cm long, dark green above with 2 light bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Bright-green cones, up to 10cm long, are distinctive with their long projecting hair-like bracts, which persist throughout summer. Flowers are small and insignificant; males yellowish, growing on underside of shoot, females green, growing on top of shoot. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare native of S California. Does well in rainier parts of our region.
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  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
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  • Western Larch Larix occidentalis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Largest of all the larches, although it rarely reaches its maximum height away from its native range. A tall, slender, conical tree. BARK Grey and scaly, forming deep fissures low down. BRANCHES slightly ascending and short with red-brown shoots. LEAVES Soft needles up to 4cm long, borne in tufts on side-shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow, and pendent below the shoots; female flowers are red and upright above the shoot on the same tree. Both open in spring. Cones are ovoid, 4cm long, with long bracts protruding from between the scales, distinguishing this from all other larches. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION native of mountains of British Columbia, south to Oregon. Introduced in 1881 into Britain, where there are now some very fine specimens in mature collections.
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  • Japanese Red-cedar Cryptomeria japonica (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Tall, narrowly conical evergreen on a rapidly tapering bole. BARK Thin, hard bark, peeling in thin shreds. BRANCHES Mainly level. LEAVES Narrow, claw-like and yellowish-green, pointing towards the shoot-tip. Foliage character distinguishes this species from Coastal Redwood, as does thin bark. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones produced on same tree but on different shoots. small yellow male cones are borne in clusters at tips of shoots and release pollen in early spring. Mature female cones are covered with feathery scales, unique to this tree, giving the appearance of brownish globular flowers. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China and Japan. Present here since 1842, and commonest in the west.
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  • Western Larch Larix occidentalis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Largest of all the larches, although it rarely reaches its maximum height away from its native range. A tall, slender, conical tree. BARK Grey and scaly, forming deep fissures low down. BRANCHES slightly ascending and short with red-brown shoots. LEAVES Soft needles up to 4cm long, borne in tufts on side-shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow, and pendent below the shoots; female flowers are red and upright above the shoot on the same tree. Both open in spring. Cones are ovoid, 4cm long, with long bracts protruding from between the scales, distinguishing this from all other larches. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION native of mountains of British Columbia, south to Oregon. Introduced in 1881 into Britain, where there are now some very fine specimens in mature collections.
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  • Dutch Elm Ulmus x hollandica (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Tall and rather straggly hybrid tree.  BARK Brown, cracking into small, shallow plates. BRANCHES Higher branches are longer than ones lower down, and are spreading. LEAVES Oval, toothed, to 15cm long, sometimes buckled. Leaf base is only slightly unequal. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruits. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A naturally occurring hybrid, whose parents are presumed to include Wych Elm, Plot’s Elm and Ulmus minor. Has a scattered range across southern England and south-west Wales and is found in hedgerows in lowland districts.
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  • Dutch Elm Ulmus x hollandica (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Tall and rather straggly hybrid tree.  BARK Brown, cracking into small, shallow plates. BRANCHES Higher branches are longer than ones lower down, and are spreading. LEAVES Oval, toothed, to 15cm long, sometimes buckled. Leaf base is only slightly unequal. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruits. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A naturally occurring hybrid, whose parents are presumed to include Wych Elm, Plot’s Elm and Ulmus minor. Has a scattered range across southern England and south-west Wales and is found in hedgerows in lowland districts.
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  • Dutch Elm Ulmus x hollandica (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Tall and rather straggly hybrid tree.  BARK Brown, cracking into small, shallow plates. BRANCHES Higher branches are longer than ones lower down, and are spreading. LEAVES Oval, toothed, to 15cm long, sometimes buckled. Leaf base is only slightly unequal. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruits. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A naturally occurring hybrid, whose parents are presumed to include Wych Elm, Plot’s Elm and Ulmus minor. Has a scattered range across southern England and south-west Wales and is found in hedgerows in lowland districts.
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  • Dutch Elm Ulmus x hollandica (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Tall and rather straggly hybrid tree.  BARK Brown, cracking into small, shallow plates. BRANCHES Higher branches are longer than ones lower down, and are spreading. LEAVES Oval, toothed, to 15cm long, sometimes buckled. Leaf base is only slightly unequal. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruits. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A naturally occurring hybrid, whose parents are presumed to include Wych Elm, Plot’s Elm and Ulmus minor. Has a scattered range across southern England and south-west Wales and is found in hedgerows in lowland districts.
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  • Dutch Elm Ulmus x hollandica (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Tall and rather straggly hybrid tree.  BARK Brown, cracking into small, shallow plates. BRANCHES Higher branches are longer than ones lower down, and are spreading. LEAVES Oval, toothed, to 15cm long, sometimes buckled. Leaf base is only slightly unequal. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruits. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A naturally occurring hybrid, whose parents are presumed to include Wych Elm, Plot’s Elm and Ulmus minor. Has a scattered range across southern England and south-west Wales and is found in hedgerows in lowland districts.
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  • Monkey-puzzle (Chile Pine) Araucaria araucana (Araucariaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Evergreen, domed to conical tree with a tall cylindrical trunk. BARK Greyish, tough, heavily ridged and wrinkled, with numerous rings of old stem scars. BRANCHES Horizontal or slightly drooping, evenly distributed around trunk. LEAVES 3–5cm long, oval, bright glossy green and scale-like. Tip is triangular with a sharp brownish spine. Leaf base overlaps shoot and next leaf and leaves are arranged in a dense spiral on shoot. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones, up to 10cm long, in clusters at shoot-tips. Female cones rounded, up to 17cm long and green for first 2 years, growing on upper surface of shoots; large scales taper to a slender outwardly curved point, and conceal 4cm-long, edible brown seeds. Trees are either male or female. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Chile and Argentina, first brought to Europe in 1795. Now common as an ornamental tree in parks and gardens. Grows well in towns, but prefers well-drained soils.
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  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
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  • Dutch Elm Ulmus x hollandica (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Tall and rather straggly hybrid tree.  BARK Brown, cracking into small, shallow plates. BRANCHES Higher branches are longer than ones lower down, and are spreading. LEAVES Oval, toothed, to 15cm long, sometimes buckled. Leaf base is only slightly unequal. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruits. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A naturally occurring hybrid, whose parents are presumed to include Wych Elm, Plot’s Elm and Ulmus minor. Has a scattered range across southern England and south-west Wales and is found in hedgerows in lowland districts.
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  • Norway Maple Acer platanoides (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Tall, spreading deciduous tree with short bole and high, domed crown. BARK Smooth, grey; sometimes slightly ridged. BRANCHES Less crowded and thinner than those of Sycamore; twigs are green, sometimes tinged red. LEAVES Bright-green, smooth, to 15cm long with 5–7 toothed and sharply pointed lobes; lowest pair of lobes smaller than others. Note white hairs in axils of veins on paler underside of leaf. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Greenish-yellow flowers, in compact erect clusters of 30–40, open before leaves in March–April; males and females are separate. Paired, yellowish fruits are up to 10cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mainland Europe; planted in Britain and Ireland for ornament but also naturalised.
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  • Santa Lucia Fir Abies bracteata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 38m <br />
Tall, narrowly conical evergreen with tapering crown, strong foliage and pointed buds. BARK Black, marked with scars of fallen branches. LEAVES Sharp-spined needles, up to 5cm long, dark green above with 2 light bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Bright-green cones, up to 10cm long, are distinctive with their long projecting hair-like bracts, which persist throughout summer. Flowers are small and insignificant; males yellowish, growing on underside of shoot, females green, growing on top of shoot. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare native of S California. Does well in rainier parts of our region.
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  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
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  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
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  • Japanese Red-cedar Cryptomeria japonica (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Tall, narrowly conical evergreen on a rapidly tapering bole. BARK Thin, hard bark, peeling in thin shreds. BRANCHES Mainly level. LEAVES Narrow, claw-like and yellowish-green, pointing towards the shoot-tip. Foliage character distinguishes this species from Coastal Redwood, as does thin bark. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones produced on same tree but on different shoots. small yellow male cones are borne in clusters at tips of shoots and release pollen in early spring. Mature female cones are covered with feathery scales, unique to this tree, giving the appearance of brownish globular flowers. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of China and Japan. Present here since 1842, and commonest in the west.
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  • Honey Locust Gleditsia triacanthos (Fabaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Tall deciduous tree with a high, domed crown; bole, branches and twigs are spiny. BARK Greyish purple. BRANCHES Mainly level, with curled twigs. LEAVES Alternate, either pinnate, with up to 18 pairs of 2–3cm-long leaflets, or bipinnate, with up to 14 leaflets no more than 2cm long. Leaf axes end in spines. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Tiny flowers open in June, are no more than 3mm long, may be male, female or both, and grow in compact clusters in leaf axils; greenish-white oval petals number from 3 to 5. Flattened pods with thickened edges, to 45cm long, are twisted or curved and become dark brown when ripe. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Mississippi basin of N America, planted here for ornament.
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  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130438.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130434.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
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  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
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  • Western Larch Larix occidentalis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Largest of all the larches, although it rarely reaches its maximum height away from its native range. A tall, slender, conical tree. BARK Grey and scaly, forming deep fissures low down. BRANCHES slightly ascending and short with red-brown shoots. LEAVES Soft needles up to 4cm long, borne in tufts on side-shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow, and pendent below the shoots; female flowers are red and upright above the shoot on the same tree. Both open in spring. Cones are ovoid, 4cm long, with long bracts protruding from between the scales, distinguishing this from all other larches. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION native of mountains of British Columbia, south to Oregon. Introduced in 1881 into Britain, where there are now some very fine specimens in mature collections.
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  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
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  • MAN ORCHID Aceras anthropophorum (Orchidaceae) Height to 30cm. Intriguing and distinctive orchid of calcareous grassland and scrub. FLOWERS are fancifully man-like, with a pronounced green hood (comprising sepals and upper petals) an elongated, 4-lobed lip (12-15mm long) and a spur; borne in tall, dense spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS form and swell at base of flowers. LEAVES are oval, fresh green and form a basal rosette, and sheath the lower part of the flowering stem. STATUS-Local, and restricted to SE England, where it occurs as isolated colonies.
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  • TOWER MUSTARD Arabis glabra. Tall (height to 1m); greyish, arrow-shaped, clasping leaves with tiny pale flowers. Scarce on dry ground in south.
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  • Tall Sea-lavender - Limonium procerum subsp. procerum
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  • Tall Sea-lavender - Limonium procerum subsp. procerum
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  • Tall Sea-lavender - Limonium procerum subsp. procerum
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  • White Poplar - Populus alba Salicaceae Height to 20m <br />
Elegant, open tree. Bark Pale with diamond-shaped scars. Shoots With white felt in spring. Leaves Lobed, grey-green above, dense white felt below. Reproductive parts Male catkins ovoid, white and fluffy; female catkins slender and greenish. Status Long-established introduction.
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  • Grey Poplar Populus x canescens (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 37m. Stable hybrid between White Poplar and Aspen. When fully mature, grows into an impressively large tree with a good solid bole. In spring the tree has a whitish appearance when the wind displaces the leaves, but it is not as brilliantly white as the White Poplar. BARK Whitish with diamond-shaped fissures. LEAVES Rounded to oval and toothed with regular blunt, forward-pointing teeth; borne on long petioles. Leaf upper surface is glossy grey-green and lower surface is covered with a greyish-white felt. By mid- to late summer the leaves lose some of the white felt and the tree looks greyer. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins are borne on separate trees. Fe¬male trees with green, pendulous catkins are rare. Male catkins are elongated and pendulous, giving whole tree a purplish col¬our when they swell before opening in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mainland Europe and introduced into Britain very early, probably with the White Poplar.
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  • Plot's Elm - Ulmus plotii
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  • PETRIFIED TREE, LESVOS
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  • Big Belly Oak in Savernake Forest, Marlborough, Wiltshire one of our more noteable ancient trees believed to be over 1,000 years old. Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
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  • Big Belly Oak in Savernake Forest, Marlborough, Wiltshire one of our more noteable ancient trees believed to be over 1,000 years old. Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
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