November 24, 2010 at 6:49 pm (A Plant-a-Day(ish))
Tags: alternate, deciduous, lobed leaf, tree
Fern-leaf beech trunk
Another unusual find on my trip to the Barnes Foundation Arboretum. With its feathery serrated leaves and muscular trunk typical of the species, a mature Fagus sylvatica ‘Aspleniifolia’ (Fern-leaf Beech) in full leaf resembles a football player in a chiffon ballgown (not that I’ve ever seen one).
Fern-leaf beech autumn leaves
November 24, 2010 at 5:53 pm (A Plant-a-Day(ish))
Tags: alternate, deciduous, lobed leaf, palmate lobed, simple leaf, tree
Sorbus torminalis (Wild Service Tree)
Check out the crazy lateral spread (my husband on the left to establish scale) on this tree ! I saw it at the Barnes Foundation Arboretum in Philadelphia on Sunday. The strangely lobed leaves, looking like the result of an oak and maple mating, are what first drew my eye, inviting closer inspection. A handy accession tag revealed the tree ID, which I promptly forgot on the long ride home. A bit of online research helped me retrieve it, and so I have now become acquainted with the Wild Service Tree.
This uncommon European native is primarily found in ancient British woodlands, and rarely in the U.S., making it a treat to discover so close to home.
June 28, 2010 at 9:02 pm (Plants to remember to try)
Tags: lobed leaf, shade tolerant
July 13, 2009 at 2:48 pm (A Plant-a-Day(ish), Invasives)
Tags: deciduous, Invasives, lobed leaf, multiple fruit, Shrub, simple leaf, Thorny
Identification characteristics:
1. Fast growing invasive shrub with thorny stems and arching habit
2. palmately lobed simple leave
3. edible black compound fruit
July 13, 2009 at 12:04 pm (A Plant-a-Day(ish), Invasives)
Tags: alternate, broad leaf evergreen, climber, Invasives, lobed leaf
IDentifying characteristics:
July 12, 2009 at 5:16 pm (A Plant-a-Day(ish))
Tags: alternate, deciduous, lobed leaf, simple leaf, tree
Identifying characteristics:
1. U-shaped leaf sinuses, bottom sinuses deeper than in other species
2. lower branches pendulous, middle, branches horizontal, upper branches upright and spreading (this specimen has been pruned so habit isn’t apparent)
3. Small acorns take 2 years to mature
