American Box-Elder

Torrential rains from the last week made the waters of the Dordogne rise and the trees on its banks now get wet feet.





No problem for the big American Box-Elder (Acer negundo) on the left in the image, it is made for this. It is a kind of Maple tree but a special one, a native of North America and now really at home on the banks of big rivers here where it can develop into dense forests.





In autumn the leaves turn yellow. They are composite, a bit like Elder leaves, instead of simple and hand-shaped like other Maples.

Water Mint

Nearly all year round you can find Mint leaves. Only when it really freezes they disappear. Here a big bunch of Water Mint (Mentha aquatica) growing on the bank of a stream.





Flowers have disappeared, or nearly, at this time of the year.





They grow in little mauve balls on top of the stems and also at the base of opposite leaves below it.





The plant has a mild mint scent that comes out when you walk over it. At least the leaves, the flowers smell subtly of honey.





In summer it is easy to find large many-stemmed tufts of Water Mint in wet meadows. Yes, butterflies love them.