Look at the seed of Euptelia polyandra, the distinctive hook in the samara gives it the appearance of a bottle opener. A native to Japan, growing in the upper Woodland Garden to the west of the Rock Garden. Here the seed is not as profusely produced as in the wild where it grows as a pioneer plant. One seed is held in each papery coat, known as a samara. Distinctly green where it is held, the samara is shaped to allow the wind to catch and disperse the seed as it ripens and falls.

Individual leaves are as wide as long (150mm x 150mm) with a pronounced tip and serrated edges. These produce reddish brown autumn shades but our specimen does not stand out as a tree with notable autumn colour.

The trunk and older branch network are pitted with a multitude of horizontal rust like lesions adding character to this vigorous young tree.

Euptelia polyandra seed

Euptelia polyandra autumn colour