Rubus spectabilis 鮭莓、美洲大樹莓、美莓

Common name: Salmonberry
Scientific name: Rubus spectabilis 鮭莓、美洲大樹莓、美莓
Genus: Genus: Rubus 懸鉤子屬
Family: Rosaceae 薔薇科, rose family

Origin: Neophyte (established after 1500 AD). It is a native of western North America. It was introduced in Britain in 1827 and was known from the wild by at least 1874. 

Note: This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause these to grow in the wild in NORTHERN IRELAND and the REPUBLIC OF IRELAND. Gardeners possessing them should undertake measures to control them.

Date: 24th March

[223] Deciduous, vigorous, suckering shrub. Flowers are usually solitary on lateral branches.

[225] Can reach up to 1-4m tall.

[209] Spines on stem.

[209cropped] Weak spines (straight prickles) occurring lower down the stem.

[204] Buds.

[204cropped] Leaves developing.

[203]

[216cropped] Flowering bud (left) and leaves developing.

[221cropped] Bases of leaves showing the stipules.

[202] 7-22cm long green trifoliate (ternate), toothed leaf. Leaflets are rhomboid. Terminal leaflet is larger than the two side leaflets.

[218] Underside of the leaves.

[218cropped] Hairs on the petiole as well as the mid-veins of the underside of the leaflets.

[208cropped] Flower bud.

[201cropped] Underside of the flower showing the 5 sepals.

[230cropped] Side view of a flower showing the sepals and petals.

[230cropped2] Enlarged photo showing the hairy sepals.

[211cropped1] Flower 2-3cm in diameter, with 5 pinkish-purple petals.

[211cropped2] Numerous (75-100) stamens, but pistils are still covered by the stamens for this flower.

[228cropped1] Lateral stage of a flower, both stamens and pistils could be clearly seen.

[228cropped2] Numerous stamens and pistils could be seen. Pistils with carpels above the petals could be seen above.

Daphne laureola 月桂瑞香、大戟月桂、桂葉芫花、洋瑞香

Common name: Spurge-laurel
Scientific name: Daphne laureola 月桂瑞香、大戟月桂、桂葉芫花、洋瑞香
Genus: Daphne 瑞香屬
Family: Thymelaeaceae 瑞香科, Mezereum family

Origin: native

Note: Toxic if eaten, skin irritant. Toxic to pets

Date: 24th March

[275] A small, glabrous evergreen shrub, found in woodland.

[281] Another plant with branch.

[278cropped] Stem showing the alternate leaves and flower stalks arising from leaf axil.

[276] Leaves dark, glossy green.

[279] Underside of the leaf.

[265]

[272cropped] Inflorescence of 5-10 flowers in axillary groups.

[263cropped] 4 sepals, fused sepal bases from a tubular hypanthium 花托筒, petals absent.

[268cropped] The above flower is likely a freshly opened one.

[262cropped]  There are totally 8 stamens, arranged in 2 whorls inserting onto the upper half of the hypanthium. 1 pistil but it is deep inside and could not be seen above.

[266cropped] 4 stamens above and the other 4 below, in 2 whorls.

[271cropped] It could be clearly seen that the 4 sepal lobes are unequal.

[271cropped2] 2 whorls of stamens. Yellow pollens could be seen above.

[265cropped] This is a special flower with 8sepals and more than 8 stamens.