Carpinus Betulus; Hornbeam

Common Name: Hornbeam

Latin Name: Carpinus Betulus

Type: Deciduous

Location: Manchester Metropolitan University campus

Ultimate height: 12m+

Ultimate spread: 4 – 8m

Located Carpinus Betulus height: 2m

Leaf Shape: Elliptical shaped with rounded base, oval shaped leading to a point. Rigid edges with hairy underside. Varies from yellow, orange and brown in colour; season dependent.

Bark: Deep fissured occasionally with dark bands, silver/grey in colour.

Preferred soil type: Moist but well drained clay, sand, loam or chalk. 

 

Fruit/Flowers: Flowers are male catkins generally up to 5cm long, Yellow/green in colour with red outer scales. Fruits being clusters of winged nutlets. 

Distribution: Native to Britain

This particular Carpinus Betulus is located within a flowerbed, solely consisting of its own species. The flowerbed is constructed within a social space for the University students. Its condition seemed well, fulfilling its grid like planting  throughout the space used as a hedge. The ground conditions were dry but loose at touch. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of 

My illustration of the Carpinus Betulus

Ranunculus Acris; Meadow buttercup

Common Name: Meadow Buttercup

Latin Name: Ranunculus Acris

Type: Annual/Biennial/Evergreen/Herbaceous perennial

Location: Owens Park

Ultimate height: 0.5 – 1m

Ultimate spread: 0.1 – 0.5m

Located Ranunculus Acris height: 10-15cm

Leaf Shape: Rounded, palmately lobed.

Bark: Finely haired stem, green in colour.

Preferred soil type: Moist but well-drained chalk, clay, sand or loam

Fruit/Flowers: Fruits are hook-tipped with a rounded head shape. Flowers are bowl shaped, 2.5cm wide and bright glossy yellow in colour.  

Distribution: Native to Europe

This particular Ranunculus Acris was found amongst thin grasses within the fields of Owens Park. I identified this plant by its distinctive leaves as the flowers were not present. In close proximity to the plant was a large man made stream. The ground conditions were slightly moist possibly from the light rainfall. I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of indicating the soil to be 

My illustration of the Ranunculus Acris

Impatiens Glandulifera; Himalayan balsam

My illustration of the Impatiens Glandulifera

Buddleia davidii, Butterfly bush

Common Name: Butterfly bush

Latin Name: Buddleja Daviidii

Location: Elk mill retail park wasteland

Ultimate height: 2.5 - 4m

Ultimate spread: 2.5 – 4m

Located Buddleja Daviidii height: 2.5m

Leaf Shape: Eliptical/Lanceolate shaped

Bark: Mousy brown, sometimes appearing tiger striped.

Preferred soil type: Moist but well drained Loam, chalk, sand or clay

Fruit/Flowers: Fruits are capsule like with winged seeds. Flowers 3-4mm in size generally pink/purple; linear shaped cluster of flowers.

Distribution: Native to China

This particular Buddleja Daviidii is a self seeded plant, located in close proximity to an industrial retail park away from other significant vegetation other than long grasses surrounding the base. The ground conditions were hard to distinguish as the site is a brownfield plot of land (wasteland) located on the edge of a concrete foundation acting as a desire line for passerbys. Where able, I took a sample of lower level soil and carried out soil pH tests which read to have a pH of indicating the soil to be 

My illustration of the Buddleja Daviidii; Butterfly bush