Five autumn leaves and berries to spot
If you're planning to get out and enjoy the autumn colours this month, make sure you know your leaves and berries. Here are five species you're likely to spot, and the key characteristics to help you identify them.

Hornbeam

Oval leaves with sharply toothed margins, yellow in autumn; fruits hang in clusters.
Spindle

Narrow leaves, red or purple in autumn; pink, four-lobed fruit later splits open to reveal the seeds.
Field maple

Deeply lobed leaves, yellow in autumn; fruits have paired ‘wings’ and hang in loose bunches.
Common whitebeam

Oval leaves with white undersides, brown in autumn; dull red fruits.
Wild service tree

Maple-like leaves, yellow, red or purple in autumn; oval, russet-brown fruits.
Authors

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