The first one I expect to be a Fabaceae, but do those have to have enlarged pulvini (thickening at the base of the leaflets)? I can't really see the the main leaf attachments. Ha! Maybe it's a fern? Douglas Justice's October 2020 in the Garden - UBC Botanical Garden blog talked about appreciating shapes and patterns of leaf arrangements when seen from above. I did a better job of appreciation once I got back on solid ground; I was still looking down on this, but from the boardwalk next to the Campbell Building, I think to the east. Double-compound leaves. I assume the yellow leaf margins are from lack of sun or nutrients and not characteristic, but they certainly add to the striking effect. I don't see any spines. Right next that is this plant with palmately compound leaves in 5's. Branching is alternate (should rule out all Aesculus, is that right?). The nodes seem to often have a leaf and then a branch growing from that node. Stems seem to be white. I can't tell if the third photo is a different variety of the same plant, or if it's the same plant but the yellow margins are signs of stress. Again, the "variegation" looks very attractive.
Yes, for sure, thank you - the background in one of the photos on Garden Explorer is the same as in my photo, so these are on the west side of the building, if the Garden Explorer marker is correct. Silky leaved bramble. Too bad I couldn't get to the leaf backs, which look white and fuzzy. Rubus lineatus - silky leaved bramble | UBC Botanical Garden On this Rubus lineatus | Landscape Plants | Oregon State University page, people are quoted: "The most beautiful leaves of any Rubus." Graham Stuart Thomas "One of the most beautiful plants of the entire genus." Gred Krussman The new leaves are particularly attractive, from the photo on that page. Nearly thornless, and edible fruits too.
I think somebody from the garden would have to photograph that. I have just zoomed in here on my photo and brightened it, not sure that's helpful enough.
Thank you, Eric! Whew - a Fabaceae. :) Wikipedia says it's extremely rare. And slow-growing. Leaves turn yellow in the fall, so maybe this appearance is natural.
@wcutler - I wouldn't have ever heard of Gymnocladus chinensis but for your introduction and @Eric La Founaine 's ID. It reminds me of False Acacia - Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia' - but definitely not so fast growing. I see you can buy 2 seeds on Amazon for ~$20 (germination likely not guaranteed). https://www.amazon.ca/Seeds-SOAP-Tree-Gymnocladus-Chinensis/dp/B075VCD8RR
Way prettier. We're talking about what it resembles, not what it is, right? Yes, all trees mentioned here are Fabaceae, a family that has a lot of trees having compound leaves with somewhat similar shaped leaflets. Wikipedia says the leaves on this are bipinnate, as does this North Carolina Extension Gardener page: Gymnocladus chinensis (Chinese Coffee Tree, Soap Tree) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. The leaves are described as huge. Here is a photo of the young leaves. Gymnocladus chinensis That nursery page says it wants to be planted in full sun, and "it is a fickle and difficult plant if planted in a poor position, if disturbed once planted and can be damaged in cold winters without protection. As such, it is not covered by our guarantee." It seems like it's in a pretty good location, and should easily reach up to the boardwalk where I can get a better look at it.
