Red leaves scattered across the ground: under the clear sky, a carpet of crimson unfolds

A leaf is the tree’s way of sensing the world, and a letter the seasons send to the earth.

Through a single leaf, we can read a plant’s story and glimpse its life.

Red maple

Red maple, a large tree in the soapberry family,

Has a straight, smooth trunk.

Its flowers grow in small, dense clusters, red or pale yellow.

The fruits are red samaras that spread at sharp angles.

The leaves turn bright red and stay colorful for a long time, making the tree extremely striking.

It’s perfect for landscaping in parks or along roadsides.

Coming all the way from North America,

It adds a splash of color to the campus.

On your way to class, a passing glance reveals

A bright red leaf among gold and green,

Standing out against the blue sky

As brilliant as the setting sun.

Japanese maple

The Japanese maple is a small deciduous tree in the soapberry family,

It has dark gray bark and purple flowers,

Its slender branches are grown all over the world.

From spring to autumn, its leaves change from green to yellow, then orange, and finally red.

Quietly standing in the corner,

It adds a touch of delicacy to the campus.

On a leisurely walk, you might look up and see

Its elegant, hand-shaped leaves

changing gently with the light.

From spring green to summer lushness and autumn red,

They look like fireworks burning on the branches,

Painting the time in a lasting rosy glow.

Maple trees are often used as imagery in poetry.

Through the passage of time,

They carry people’s respect to nature

and the poetic spirit of literature.

Chinese lacquer tree

The Chinese lacquer tree is a deciduous tree in the lacquer family.

Its odd-pinnate leaves grow alternately, and the flowers form small, yellow-green clusters in the leaf axils.

The flowers are small, yellow-green, and the species is dioecious.

The fruit is large, with a thin, pale yellow outer layer,

A thick waxy white middle layer,

and a hard, flattened seed inside.

The Chinese lacquer tree may look plain, but it has many uses.

Its roots, leaves, and fruits are used in medicine

to clear heat, reduce bruising, stop bleeding, and repel insects.

The seed oil can be made into soap or lacquer,

and its wood is hard and dense, ideal for fine craftsmanship.

Even the fruit skin, bark, and trunk can be used as material.

Source: Zhejiang University
Editor: HAN Xiao