leaps and bounds: on observing and sketching

Remember this?

A snapped-off ‘spike’ of flowers from a horse chestnut tree.

Look closely.

Do you see that round, green, spiky thing? What do you think it is? See the withered brown petals behind?

Yes, you’re right. It’s the start of the seed-containing ‘fruit’ of a horse chestnut tree (you might have heard these called conkers).

Now let’s see how carefully you can sketch it. And once you have done so, see if you can label some of the different parts. You will probably want to use the words flower, stem and seed.

And while they are doing that, maybe you can look closely at this.

This is a part of a plant that Béatrix brought in to show us. Do you see the few remaining yellow flowers at the top?

Perhaps you can also spot where the long, narrow, green seed pods have already started to form.

Let’s see how carefully you can sketch it. And once you have done so, see if you can label the different parts. You too will probably need to use the words flower, stem and seed. And maybe the word leaf too!

And while they are doing that, maybe you can look closely at this.

I am sure you recognise it! It’s part of a holly tree. See those sharp and spiky leaves? See too that one tiny white flower?

And its fat, round, green centre? Well, that is…..yes, you’ve got it! It’s the start of the seed-containing ‘fruit’. How about having a go at sketching what you see. And see too if you can label correctly the stem, the flower, a berry (which is what we call the seed-containing ‘fruit’ of a holly tree) and a spiky leaf.

Finally, while everyone else is busy observing and sketching their own specimens, you should take a look at this.

This too a ‘gift’ from Béatrix. What she calls ‘argent de pape’ (or ‘pope’s money’) and my granny called ‘silver pennies’, you might know as ‘honesty’. See what’s left of the purple flowers?