43
is the only example of a large Afghan Ash
(Fraxinus xanthoxyloides) in Britain.
Luckily it was one of the trees mentioned in
the guide. Near the lake the slight
variation in pinnate leaf form was demon-
strated by the Caucasian Wing-Nut (Ptero-
carya fraxinifolia). Its long chains of
winged fruits aided identification. A
relation of this tree was the very rare
Manchurian Walnut (Juglans mandshurica).
Again, with large pinnate leaves it underlines
the fact that it is flower structure which
has been used to classify flowering plants
and not leaf form.
We did not find many specimens in flower
to help guide us in identification. One of
the most conspicuous was the Indian Bean
Tree (Catalpa bignonioides). The leaves
are large, round-ovate. This is unlike the
specimen labelled Hybrid Catalpa (Catalpa
x erubescens) with points on its leaves.
Vegetatively these plants are similar to
the Foxglove Tree (Paulownia tomentosa)
although on this species the leaves show
much variation on one plant. Without the
flowers to help it is difficult to place this
plant in the foxglove family. We located
one of its ovoid sticky fruits which are
large capsules. It is named after the
daughter of Czar Paul I of Russia.
The evergreen Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora)
had a few scattered flowers. It is the
only evergreen Magnolia with a glossy green
leaf. Related to it and also in flower
was the Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
with its characteristic four pointed leaves.
Also in flower were some of the buckeyes.