Days are getting shorter. Things on Stumpers have been a bit slow. Try this one. Genus and species please.
Does the family name start with one of the first half-dozen letters of the alphabet? (for that matter, does the genus name?)
Intriguing question! Short answer ;No! That eliminates quite a few. No you can't go through the whole alphabet like this!!!
Had a feeling it might be too easy for you Michael!! Yes it is Platycarya strobilacea. "Feeling lonely" was not a personal opinion but a clue to this deciduous tree from the far east. It is in the Juglandaceae[walnut etc.] but is a genus of a single species,related to Pterocarya. It has distinctive "cone-like" fruits at the end of the current year's growth in late summer.Flowers unisexual, both sexes borne on the same tree. In the U.K. it is pretty rare.Mostly found in arboreta or collections. Photos taken Westonbirt The National Arboretum U.K. on 25 October 2007.
Sorry Michael do not know if it produces viable seed,but Penny in the Propagation unit might know.[tel.01666880220 email westonbirt@forestry.gov.uk]
Westonbirt is definitely our favourite place[botanically] and is about 1.5 hrs drive away.No matter what time of year we visit, we always find something we haven't noticed before.It is not standing still , new areas are being opened up and old areas being rejuvenated. New trees and shrubs are being planted all the time. Their Plant Centre is quite good too!! Apart from Westonbirt and Cardiff Parks we live in a botanical void! Wonderful places like Kew gardens and RHS gardens at Wisley are 3-4 hrs drive away,bit far just to pop in.
