Appreciation: QE Park, particularly Styphnolobium japonicum

Discussion in 'How's It Growing?' started by wcutler, Aug 10, 2021.

  1. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    I found two Styphnolobium japonicum, pagoda trees, formerly called Sophora japonica, in Queen Elizabeth Park today, on 37th just west of Columbia. They were only a little fragrant, but the best feature was that they had flowers down at eye-level.
    Styphnolobium-japonicum_QEPark-47thColumbia_Cutler_20210810_160027.jpg Styphnolobium-japonicum_QEPark-47thColumbia_Cutler_20210810_160534.jpg Styphnolobium-japonicum_QEPark-47thColumbia_Cutler_20210810_160439.jpg Styphnolobium-japonicum_QEPark-47thColumbia_Cutler_20210810_160420.jpg

    Styphnolobium-japonicum_QEPark-47thColumbia_Cutler_20210810_160332.jpg Styphnolobium-japonicum_QEPark-47thColumbia_Cutler_20210810_160338.jpg

    These have somewhat distinctive pulvini (the swollen area at the base of the petioles).
    Styphnolobium-japonicum_QEPark-47thColumbia_Cutler_20210810_160311.jpg

    In the quarry garden are a few of what I think are Euphorbia tirucalli, pencil tree.
    Euphorbia tirucalli-PencilTree_QEPark-Quarry_Cutler_20210810_142332.jpg Euphorbia tirucalli-PencilTree_QEPark-Quarry_Cutler_20210810_142343.jpg Euphorbia tirucalli-PencilTree_QEPark-Quarry_Cutler_20210810_142358.jpg
    I'm basing that on the tree with that name inside the conservatory.
    Euphorbia tirucalli-PencilTree_QEPark-Quarry_Cutler_20210810_145848.jpg Euphorbia tirucalli-PencilTree_QEPark-Quarry_Cutler_20210810_145853.jpg Euphorbia tirucalli-PencilTree_QEPark-Quarry_Cutler_20210810_145905.jpg

    Here's a view looking down on the main quarry garden.
    QEPark-Quarry_Cutler_20210810_142856.jpg
     
    Margot likes this.
  2. Margot

    Margot Renowned Contributor 10 Years

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    Isn't it wonderful to see such trees as Styphnolobium japonicum growing where they have so much room to spread their branches? How lucky you are to see them in person and how lucky we are for you to document and share them as you do with those of us who will likely never see them in person.
     
  3. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    You know, you think they're so rare, but I saw one starting to bloom in Strathcona two weeks ago (the neighbourhood next to Chinatown). I didn't photograph it, and now can't remember if it was a street tree, but it's not listed as one of the six locations (of Sophora) in the city's records (Street trees — City of Vancouver Open Data Portal).
     

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