Every tree shows its colors: under the bright sunlight, a hundred styles unfold

We’re excited to welcome Professor JIANG Weimei and Professor LI Pan from the College of Life Sciences, to uncover the plant world on the campus for us, and discovering the science and poetry hidden within the leaves.

Pomelo

The pomelo is a tree in the citrus family with many branches.

Its leaves are broad to elliptical, with petioles that have a reversed heart-shaped wing.

The flowers are single, with white petals.

The fruit is very large and turns pale yellow when ripe.

In front of the library,

Along the paths by the sports field,

You can see the pomelo trees.

Their golden fruits contrast with the green leaves,

and a fresh fragrance drifts on the wind,

Adding small touches of beauty to everyday life.

Canary Island date palm

The Canary Island date palm is a tall tree in the palm family.

It has a thick trunk marked with wavy leaf scars,

and pinnate leaves that grow in clusters at the top.

Small yellow-brown flowers appear along spike-like clusters in the leaf axils.

This tree comes from the Canary Islands.

Unlike small, delicate leaves, the Canary Island date palm has thick, spreading fronds.

Its flowers are like tiny sparks of gold among the deep green leaves.

When the wind blows, the golden glimmers sway gently,

Showing the tree’s unique charm.

Pink muhly grass

Pink muhly grass is a perennial grass.

Its stems grow upright or lean slightly at the base.

The leaves are curled, and the flowers form a panicle.

The glumes have a lead-green, snake-like pattern, with the main vein extending into an awn.

The spikelets are slender, cylindrical, or slightly flattened.

In late summer and early autumn, 

The flower spikes rise from the base,

Creating clouds of soft pink.

Even when the leaves are quiet down,

When the wind returns next year,

They will bloom again in a soft pink haze,

Bringing a gentle splash of color back to the corners of the campus.

Source: Zhejiang University
Editor: HAN Xiao