Great Maple Collection

Oriolus oriolus, Eurasian golden oriole
Plate 31 from John Goulds The Birds of Great Britain, Vol. 2 (1873). Hand coloured lithograph

Fossil maple leaf C016 / 5955
Fossil maple (Acer trilobatum) leaf. This fossilised leaf dates from the Miocene period. It was collected in Oeningen, Baden, Germany. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) seeds C016 / 5981
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) seeds

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) seed C016 / 5982
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) seed

Acer pseudoplatanus, sycamore or great maple
Illustrative plate 15 from Le Regne Vegetal. Vol 16 1871. Held in the Botany Library at the Natural History Museum, London

Acer pseudoplatanus, sycamore
Photographed by Pat Hart, Summer 2003

Acer trilobatum, sycamore or maple leaf
Fossilised leaf dating from the Miocene period, collected in Oeningen, Baden, Germany. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Turdus sp. thrush chicks
Plate 121 from William MacGillivrays Watercolour drawings of British Animals (1831-1841)

Acronicta aceris, sycamore moth caterpillar
The brightly coloured caterpillars of the sycamore moths are found in southern England and feed on the leaves of the sycamore tree, as well as other deciduous trees

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"Discovering the Beauty of Great Maple: A Tale of Oriolus oriolus and Acer pseudoplatanus" In the enchanting world of nature, one can stumble upon remarkable wonders like the Eurasian golden oriole, known as Oriolus oriolus. This vibrant bird finds solace amidst the majestic Sycamore trees (Acer pseudoplatanus), whose seeds C016/5981 and C016/5982 hold promises of new life. As we delve deeper into this captivating tale, we come across a fossil maple leaf (C016/5955), a relic from ancient times when Acer pseudoplatanus, also called sycamore or great maple, thrived in abundance. Its leaves once adorned landscapes with their intricate patterns and rich hues. Amidst this lush habitat resides another delightful creature - the European greenfinch (Carduelis chloris). With its emerald plumage contrasting against the sycamore's bark, it adds a touch of vibrancy to this natural symphony orchestrated by Acer pseudoplatanus. The sycamore tree stands tall and proud; its branches reaching for the sky, and is no wonder that it has earned various names such as great maple and simply sycamore. Its presence brings shade on sunny days while providing shelter to countless creatures seeking refuge within its embrace. Among these inhabitants are thrush chicks belonging to Turdus sp. , cherishing their safe haven nestled amidst the sturdy branches. They chirp joyfully under the watchful eyes of their parents, grateful for what Acer pseudoplatanus offers them. But even in nature's harmony lies an element of contrast - Acronicta aceris emerges as a caterpillar feeding on sycamore leaves. The delicate balance between predator and prey reminds us that every living being plays a vital role in maintaining equilibrium within ecosystems. Through this tale, we uncover the allure.