Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

Flower: The flowers of Trachystemon orientalis (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) are star-shaped and typically a vivid bluish-violet, appearing in dense clusters atop thick, fleshy stems in late winter to early spring (February to April in the UK). Each flower has five narrow, pointed petals that curve slightly ba... Fruit: The fruit of Trachystemon orientalis is a dry, nutlet-like structure, typical of many members of the borage family (Boraginaceae). After flowering, the ovary develops into four small, hard nutlets enclosed within the remains of the calyx. These nutlets are brown, wrinkled, and relatively inconspicuo... Leaves: The leaves of Trachystemon orientalis are one of its most distinctive features. They are very large, broadly ovate to heart-shaped, and can grow up to 40 cm across. The surface is rough and slightly hairy, with a somewhat coarse texture, and the margins are often wavy or irregularly toothed. When yo...

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False Acacia

Flower: False Acacia, also known as Black Locust, produces hanging clusters of fragrant white flowers in late spring to early summer (typically May to June). The pea-like flowers are around 2 cm long, with a yellow blotch on the upper petal, and resemble those of other members of the pea family (Fabaceae). ... Fruit: The fruit of False Acacia appears after flowering and takes the form of flat, brown pods about 5–10 cm long. These papery pods contain several hard, bean-like seeds and remain on the tree well into winter. Though visually similar to edible legumes, the seeds are toxic to humans and many animals if i... Leaves: The leaves of False Acacia are pinnate and alternate along the branches. Each leaf typically contains 7–21 oval leaflets with smooth edges, arranged in opposite pairs along a central stalk. The leaflets are soft green above and slightly paler underneath. In autumn, the foliage turns a striking yello...

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Common Ash

Flower: Common Ash trees produce small, purplish-black flowers in early spring, usually between March and May, before the leaves emerge. These flowers grow in dense clusters and are wind-pollinated. Male and female flowers often occur on separate trees, although some trees may bear both. While not showy, th... Fruit: The fruit of the Common Ash is a winged seed known as a “key” or “samara.” These slender, one-winged seeds develop in hanging clusters through late spring and summer, ripening by autumn. Once mature, they are dispersed by the wind and may remain on the tree through winter, providing food for birds a... Leaves: Ash leaves are pinnately compound, usually consisting of 7–13 toothed leaflets arranged in opposite pairs along a central stalk. The leaves are a bright to mid-green and can grow quite large, contributing to the tree’s light, airy canopy. In autumn, they turn a clear yellow before falling. The bark ...

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Mountain Ash

Flower: The Mountain Ash, known for its stunning scarlet berries and delicate, creamy-white flowers, is a captivating sight in the British countryside. These elegant blossoms, often appearing in late spring to early summer, adorn the tree's branches with their soft, graceful petals. Their pristine beauty an... Fruit: The fruit of the Mountain Ash, distinguished by its vibrant red hue, is a distinctive feature of this iconic British tree. These glossy scarlet berries, often observed in abundance during the autumn season, create a striking contrast against the tree's green foliage. Their plump and inviting appeara... Leaves: The leaves of the Mountain Ash, commonly found in the United Kingdom, are characterized by their pinnate arrangement and finely serrated edges. Each leaflet is a lustrous dark green, imparting a rich, verdant canopy to the tree during the growing season. In the autumn, these leaves undergo a spectac...

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Aspen

Flower: Aspen produces its flowers in the form of drooping catkins before the leaves emerge in early spring, typically around March or April. Male and female flowers grow on separate trees (dioecious). The male catkins are silvery and later shed yellow pollen, while the female catkins are greenish and less ... Fruit: The fruit appears in early summer on female trees as long, slender capsules. Each capsule splits open to release tiny seeds attached to tufts of silky hairs, which help them disperse widely by wind. These seeds are short-lived and require damp conditions for germination. Leaves: Aspen leaves are rounded with a slightly toothed edge and a flattened stalk, which causes them to tremble and flutter in the slightest breeze — a distinctive feature of the species. They emerge a fresh green in spring, darken in summer, and turn a golden-yellow in autumn. Young sucker growth often d...

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Lemon Balm

Flower: Lemon Balm produces small, two-lipped, pale whitish-yellow to pale pink flowers, about 8–13 mm long, arranged in whorls (false rings) in the leaf axils. They bloom from June to September and are typical of the mint family (Lamiaceae), with the lower lip acting as a landing platform for pollinators l... Fruit: The fruit consists of four tiny nutlets, held at the base of the flower inside the calyx. These brownish-black seeds are very small (1–2 mm) and are dispersed passively or via disturbance. Seeds can remain viable for several years. Leaves: Leaves are opposite, ovate to heart-shaped, with a crinkled surface and serrated edges. They are softly hairy and distinctly lemon-scented when crushed. Leaves grow on square stems—a typical feature of the mint family—and can be up to 5–9 cm long.

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Himalayan Balsam

Flower: Himalayan Balsam bears large, helmet-shaped flowers ranging in colour from pale pink to deep purplish-pink, with some white-flowered forms occasionally found. Blooming from June to October, the flowers have a distinctive spur at the rear and are pollinated primarily by bees, which are attracted by t... Fruit: The fruit is a slender, green capsule that, like other Impatiens species, ejects seeds explosively when touched—a mechanism known as ballistic seed dispersal. Each capsule contains around 4–16 seeds, which can be launched several metres away. This highly effective dispersal method allows the species... Leaves: Leaves are lance-shaped with sharply serrated edges and grow in whorls of three or sometimes opposite each other. They are dark green, slightly glossy, and have a prominent central vein. Stems are tall (often over 2 metres), reddish, hollow, and succulent, allowing the plant to grow quickly in moist...

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Common Barberry

Flower: Berberis vulgaris produces bright yellow, cup-shaped flowers with six petals, grouped in drooping racemes of 10–20 blossoms. These appear in April to June, each flower measuring around 5–7 mm across. The blooms are nectar-rich and attract bees, hoverflies, and other pollinators. The yellow flowers a... Fruit: The plant produces clusters of small, elongated red berries about 1 cm long, ripening from late summer into autumn (August–October). These berries are edible when fully ripe, though very sour and astringent. They were traditionally used for jams, jellies, and even as a souring agent in some Middle E... Leaves: Leaves are small (2–5 cm), oval to oblong, with toothed margins, and are arranged in whorls or clusters along the stems. They are green in summer, often turning red or purple in autumn. Each leaf cluster arises near a three-pronged thorn, a typical feature of barberries. The leaves are deciduous, fa...

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Common Beech

Flower: The Common Beech produces separate male and female flowers on the same tree (monoecious). The male flowers hang in clusters on long stalks and resemble small tassels of pollen-covered stamens. The female flowers are more discreet, found in pairs within a small cup-like structure at the tips of short... Fruit: The fruit of the Common Beech is known as the beech mast. These are small, sharply-angled nuts enclosed in a spiky, four-lobed husk called a cupule. The cupules drop in autumn, usually containing two shiny brown triangular nuts. Beech mast is an important food source for wildlife such as squirrels a... Leaves: Beech leaves are oval, with wavy, slightly toothed margins and a glossy green surface. They are typically 4–9 cm long, arranged alternately along the twig. When young, the leaves are silky with fine hairs along the edges, which disappear as the season progresses. In autumn, they turn rich copper or ...

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Copper Beech

Flower: Male and female yellowish-green catkins grow together on the same tree. Male catkins dangle loosely from stalks at the end of twigs. Female catkins exist in pairs and are surrounded by a cup, later turning into beech nuts in autumn. Flowers only appear on mature trees. Fruit: The fruit of the Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea') consists of small beechnuts enclosed in a prickly husk. The beechnuts are usually small, brown, and triangular in shape. They are edible after processing but are not typically harvested for human consumption due to their small size. The nut'... Leaves: The leaves of the Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea') are broad and elliptical in shape, with a smooth, wavy margin. They are typically deep purple or copper-colored, which is their distinctive feature, and they provide an eye-catching contrast to the typical green leaves of the European beech...

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Fern-leaf Beech

Flower: The Fern-leaf Beech, a cultivated form of the native European Beech (Fagus sylvatica), produces small, inconspicuous flowers in late spring (April to May). Male flowers hang in globular clusters on long stalks, while female flowers are held in pairs on shorter stems. Though not showy, these wind-pol... Fruit: By autumn, the tree bears beech nuts (also called mast), enclosed in bristly four-lobed husks. These nuts are triangular, glossy brown, and edible in small quantities—though mildly toxic in excess due to tannins and alkaloids. They provide valuable autumn food for wildlife including squirrels, mice,... Leaves: The key feature of this cultivar is its deeply lobed, narrow leaves, which resemble fern fronds—hence the name "Fern-leaf Beech." Each leaf is elegantly dissected, with a feather-like appearance and a graceful, cascading habit on the tree. The foliage emerges light green in spring, darkens through s...

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Peach-leaved Bellflower

Flower: Large, mid-blue (sometimes white), bell-shaped or star-shaped flowers. The 5 petals are slightly pointed. Similar to Clustered Bellflower but Clustered Bellflower has unstalked flowers which are deeper in colour and clustered together at the top of the plant. Fruit: Peach-leaved Bellflowers are renowned for their ornamental qualities and charming bell-shaped flowers. However, it's essential to note that these plants do not produce true fruits in the traditional sense. Instead, their reproductive structures consist of capsules that contain tiny seeds. As the flo... Leaves: The leaves of Peach-leaved Bellflowers exhibit a distinctive and aesthetically pleasing appearance. They are lance-shaped with finely serrated edges, showcasing a deep green hue that adds to the overall allure of the plant. These leaves are arranged in an alternate fashion along the stems, creating ...

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Trailing Bellflower

Flower: The Trailing Bellflower is adorned with charming violet or blue-hued flowers, forming a bell-like structure with five delicate petals. These star-shaped blossoms create a visual symphony during the late spring to early summer months. The heart-shaped, bright green foliage serves as an elegant backdr... Fruit: The Trailing Bellflower does not produce conventional fruits; instead, it reproduces through seeds. After the flowering season, the plant forms seed capsules. These capsules contain small seeds, contributing to the plant's reproductive cycle. The seeds are typically dispersed when the capsules dry a... Leaves: The leaves of the Trailing Bellflower are heart-shaped, displaying a vibrant shade of green. This foliage serves as an attractive backdrop to the plant's elegant violet or blue-hued flowers. The leaves are relatively small and have a smooth texture, contributing to the overall visual appeal of the p...

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Paper-bark Birch

Flower: Paper-bark Birch produces distinctive catkins in early spring. The male catkins are long, pendulous, and release abundant yellow pollen, while the female catkins are shorter and upright, maturing into seed clusters by late spring. These flowers emerge before the leaves, signaling the start of the gr... Fruit: The fruit consists of numerous tiny, winged seeds housed within the female catkins. When mature, these cone-like structures disintegrate to release the seeds, which are dispersed efficiently by the wind, enabling Paper-bark Birch to colonize open or disturbed areas rapidly. Leaves: The leaves of Paper-bark Birch are ovate to triangular with serrated edges and a pointed tip. They have a bright green colour that often turns yellow in autumn. The foliage grows alternately on slender branches, complementing the tree’s striking white, peeling bark.

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Silver Birch

Flower: Silver Birch produces catkins that appear in early spring before the leaves. The male catkins are long and pendulous, releasing clouds of yellow pollen, while the female catkins are smaller and upright, developing into seed-bearing structures after pollination. Fruit: The fruit of Silver Birch consists of tiny winged seeds contained within small, cone-like clusters formed by the mature female catkins. These seeds are dispersed by the wind in late spring to early summer, allowing the tree to colonize open or disturbed areas rapidly. Leaves: Silver Birch leaves are triangular to diamond-shaped with serrated edges and a pointed tip. They are bright green and turn golden-yellow in autumn, providing striking seasonal colour. The leaves are arranged alternately on slender, often slightly drooping branches.

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