As usual for this week we would like you to find wild plants in bloom. However, we would also like you to zoom in and take a close look at the leaves.
Leaves are a vital part of plant identification and they come in many different shapes and sizes!
In botany each distinctive leaf shape has a name. You may find these described in the glossary of a wildflower guide or there maybe a chart displaying the different shapes.
For example the wrinkled leaves of the Common Primrose, Primula vulgaris are obovate to spoon-shaped.
The leaves of the Common Snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis are linear.
Whilst those of Cow Parsley, Anthriscus sylvestris are compound and 2-3 times pinnate.
Don’t worry if you manage to find some completely unfathomable leaves. Our lovely wildflowerhour community will be on standby to help.
Some leaves have surprising undersides. So have a good look at what lies beneath and take a pic. Take one of the upper side too!
Also make a note of how the leaves are arranged on the stem. For example are they alternate, opposite, arranged singly or in leaflets.
Post your pics on Twitter, Instagram or in our Facebook group for #wildflowerhour on Sunday 25th March 8-9pm using the hashtag #lookattheleaves.
#lookattheleaves – Curated tweets by wildflower_hour
from #wildflowerhour http://www.wildflowerhour.co.uk/blog/2018/03/19/challenge-look-at-the-leaves-2/
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