American Sweetgum flowers - male and female

 The inflorescence of American Sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua) are paired male and female flowers growing in close proximity to each other.  In the image above as well as in several of the images below the upright male flower "raceme" (red color) and the hanging female flower (cream color) can be clearly seen.

In the image below the new flowers can be seen beside several of the previous years spiky seed pods.

The star shaped leaves of the American Sweetgum are seen unfolding as well.

Silver wattle: Spring Blossom Series

Today´s tree for the Spring blossom series is the Silver wattle (Acacia dealbata) which has one brightest yellow colored flowers that you will find.  I took these pictures this morning while walking in a local park here in Madrid.  Only a few other trees are in bloom so for which makes this bright bloomer stand out all the more.  Enjoy the pics!

Cherry plum - Spring blossom series

 The third installment of the spring blossom series is of the Cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera).   In a previous post on this tree species I confused this tree species with the Malus x purpurea in one of the images.  Hopefully I´ve got it right this time.  This tree is a favorite as an ornamental tree both for its colorful flowers and for its purple leaves.

Almond - Spring Blossoms series

 One of the first trees to blossom in the spring is the Almond tree, Prunus dulcis (Northern Hemisphere). The trees in full bloom often stand out backdrop of trees in their winter dormant stage with no color but the dull brown of their trunks and branches.  The brilliant white to pink flowers are often the first hint that Spring is about to begin.