The Beauty of the Trees & Shrubs in Farndon

Transcription

1 The Beauty of the Trees & Shrubs in Farndon Photographed, and compiled by John Dodson March 2010 Part 3 Conifers, Compound & Opposite Leaves 1

2 Definitions Leaves 1 of 2 Alternate Leaves, first on one side of the stem then the next leaf lower down on opposite side. Compound Leaf made up of a number of leaflets on the one stalk similar to the Ash & Horse-chestnut. Opposite Leaves opposite each other on the stem. 2

3 Definitions Leaves 2 of 2 Cordate Heart shaped at base, pointed at tip, similar to the Lime. Elliptical About 3 to 4 x longer than wide. Lanceolate Long and narrow pointed at tip. Pinnate Compound leaf similar to Ash. Obovate Broadest part above the middle & tapering gradually to base, similar to a single leaflet of a Horse-chestnut. Oval - About 2 x longer than wide. 3

4 Definitions - Flowers Catkin A spike of tiny flowers, usually all of one sex and found on trees or shrubs. Often male and female catkins are on separate trees as with Willows. Corymb Flattish topped cluster with stalks originating from different points as in Rowan. Cyme Terminal flower opens first followed by others, each further down the stem as in Spindle. Panicle A branching raceme. Raceme A spike with the lowest flower opening first with each flower on a small stem off central stem as in Bird Cherry. Umbel Flattish topped cluster with stalks originating from the same point. Can be many of these making up an inflorescence as in Elder. 4

5 Compound Leaves 5

6 Ash, Common Fraxinus excelsior Flower Apr/May, before leaves, in panicles, 2 to 3cm long, with 2 purple stamens. Upright at first drooping later. Note black buds and grey stems. 6

7 Ash, Common Fraxinus excelsior Leaf/Fruit Leaf Composite, pinnate, made up of 9-15 elliptical, pointed, toothed, leaflets 4 10mm. long. Form late & fall while still green in Autumn. Fruit - Aug/Oct, winged seeds hanging in clusters (keys). Each fruit approx 2 4cm long. Ripen from green to brown & remain on tree for a long time. 7

8 Bramble (Blackberry) Rubus fruticosus Flower/Leaf/Fruit Leaf - Composite, with generally 3-5 leaflets, oval, pointed, toothed & prickly. Flower May/Aug, after leaves, white/pink flushed flowers, 5 petals. Fruit Fleshy, red thro to black when fully ripe. 8

9 Dog rose - Rosa canina Flower Flower - Jun/July, after leaves, variable, white thro to pink, 4-5cm. dia. 9

10 Dog rose - Rosa canina Leaf/Fruit Leaf - Composite, pinnate, with 5 to 7 elliptical, toothed, pointed, leaflets. Broad based hooked thorns. Hairless but prickly stems and leaf stalk. Fruit (hips) Orange approx. 1cm. dia. 10

11 Elder, Common Sambucus nigra Flower June/July, after leaves, a mass of creamy white in flat topped umbels cm. across. Individual flowers up to 5mm. dia. with 5 petals. 11

12 Elder, Common Sambucus nigra Leaf /Fruit Leaf Composite, pinnate, with 3 7 leaflets, 3 9mm. long, elliptical, toothed, pointed, & hairless. Fruit Sept/Oct, black, shiny, & 6 8mm. dia. 12

13 Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Leaf Leaf Sticky buds in Spring produce large compound palmate leaves made up of 5 7 obovate leaflets up to 25cm. long, pointed, toothed, hairless. 13

14 Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Flower & Fruit Flower May/June, after leaf, in large upright panicles 20 30cm. high. 2cm. dia. 4/5petals, white with pink spot. Fruit Sept/Oct, glossy brown 3 4cm. dia. housed in prickly green (turning brown) sheath up to 6cm. across. 14

15 Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Flower May/June, with leaves, creamy-white. Dense corymbs, each flower up to 10mm. dia. with 5 petals. 15

16 Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Leaf/Fruit Leaf - Compound, 10 20cm. long, pinnate with 3 6mm. long elliptical, pointed, toothed, leaflets. Hairless above, slightly downy below when young. Fruit Sept, round, fleshy, scarlet, 6 9mm. dia. 16

17 Opposite Leaves 17

18 Dogwood Cornus sanguinea Flower May/June, after leaves, creamy white flat topped stalked umbels. Each flower has 4 petals, & is 8 to 12mm. dia. 18

19 Dogwood Cornus sanguinea Leaf/Fruit Leaf Opposite, 4 8 cm. long, oval, pointed, untoothed & slightly downy on both sides. Note 3 to 5 main veins on each side curve round to tip. Fruit Fleshy black globular berry up to 1cm. dia. 19

20 Maple, Field Acer campestre Flower Apr/May, with leaves, erect or hanging, rounded panicles. Cup shaped, yellowy green flowers each approx. 6mm. dia. 20

21 Maple, Field Acer campestre Leaf/Fruit Leaf - Opposite, 4 7cm. long, palmate, 3 5 lobes, untoothed. Hairless above, slightly downy below. Fruit 2 horizontal wings, redden before ripening to brown. 21

22 Spindle Euonymus europaeus Flower/Leaf Flower May/June, with leaf, in stalked forking cymes. Four greeny/white petals 8 10mm. dia. Leaf Opposite, 3 13cm. long, elliptical, pointed, finely toothed, hairless. 22

23 Spindle Euonymus europaeus Fruit Sept/Oct, 4 lobed, 1-1.5cm. across in coral-pink, opening to show 4 seeds with a bright orange sheath. 23

24 Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus Flower Apr/May, with leaves. Yellowy green flowers, up to 8mm. dia. in drooping panicles, 5 15cm. long. 24

25 Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus Leaf/Fruit Leaf Opposite, 7 16cm. long, palmate, five lobed, toothed, hairless. Fruit V-shaped wing reddens before maturing to brown. Fruit halves separate when ripe. 25

26 Conifers 26

27 Pine, Scots Pinus silvestris Leaf/Flower Leaf Evergreen needles, bluish/green, in pairs 3 8cm. long. Flower May/June, left male flowers, 5 8mm. long, orange-yellow, right female pinkish red, up to 5mm. long. 27

28 Pine, Scots Pinus silvestris Fruit Fruit Right, mature cones, hanging 3 7cm. dia. takes approx. 2 years to fully mature and shed seed in the Spring. Note Left, immature green cone in late May, approx. 1 year after fertilization. 28

29 Yew Taxus baccata Leaf/Flower Leaf Needles 1 3cm. long, 2 3 mm. wide. Pointed, untoothed, shiny dark green above with raised central vein. Flowers Male & female on separate trees. Mar/Apr, male left, brownish yellow clusters on underside of needles, each 3 4mm. across. Female right, 1-2mm. across green & bud like. 29

30 Yew Taxus baccata Fruit Sept/Oct - Fully ripened to fleshy bright red berries approximately 10mm. dia. Note the dark brown seed is visible in its fleshy red cup-shaped outer coating (aril). NOTE! - Seed and leaves are poisonous. 30