Trees of London: Identification of a foxglove tree in London Wall, Barbican

Above: a foxglove tree with
Barber Surgeons' house behind.

Trees of London
London Wall, Barbican

Foxglove tree

There are many features to look out for in this fairly ordinary, at least at first glance, tree. The most striking, perhaps, are its flowers, which usually appear in May. They are purple/pink and look like little bells.

Ancient Chinese myth, the tree is native to China, says that the nectar from the leaf of this tree has beneficial effects on hair: preventing it going grey and encouraging it to grow.

the autumn capsules.

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Other Trees at Babican

Barbican Index

Tree Identification
Paulownia tomentosa:
Leaf: opposite; very very large; pear shaped.
		nuts/fruit: armoured capsules; look a bit crablike; appear in autumn.
		Flowers: grow in striking upright bunches; purple.
		bark: grey/smooth; vertical lines.
shape:		grows to 20 metres; a broad crown.
general: quite a rare tree; looks like a Indian bean, but flowers and fruits distinguish it. Leaves not unlike those of a mulberry.

Location
There is one either side of Barber Surgeons'
house. One in the garden and one
in the carpark.