Although it is the most common tree in London, it is considered that London Plane is not native to England. This hybrid is acknowledged as a natural result of two trees being planted close to each other in Spain hence its name x hispanica. The scientific name Platanus derives from the Greek word ‘plays’ which means broad. Plane trees not only have extremely large, domed crowns but also have very large broad leaves.

Trifolium pratense, commonly known as Red Clover is a familiar grassland perennial that is common throughout the UK and Ireland. The stalkless flowering head is a cluster of 27 to 30 stemless tube-shaped magenta flowers that open outward in all directions. Its stature, dependant on the suitability of its environment can be as little as 20cm but can grow up to 80cm. The flowers are dark pink with a paler base and with so many on the Greenway, you can understand why red clover is a regular haunt for bees and butterflies.

Sorbus aucuparia is a tree with many names including Mountain Ash and Rowan. The binomial name Sorbus aucuparia is composed of the Latin words sorbus for ‘service tree’ and aucuparia, which derives from the words avis for "bird" and capere for "catching" and describes the popularity of the trees fruit to birds.

Mountain Ash thrives across the northern hemisphere between Iceland to China and as the name suggests is happy at high altitudes. They are not related at all to Ash trees and most likely received that common name due to their similar leaves.

Vicia cracca -  commonly known as Tufted Vetch may also be referred to as Cow Vetch or Bird Vetch, possibly because the seeds are used as a highly nutritious bird feed and also because it is grown by farmers as a feed for grazing cattle. Tufted Vetch is a member of the pea family and although we wouldn’t recommend eating it, parts of the plant are edible.