English Lowlands beech forests just one biogeographic province in the Palearctic Realm, which he termed British Islands. Historically, much of this lowland and submontane region was covered with high-canopy forests dominated by European beech ("Fagus sylvatica"), but also including other species of tree, including oak, ash, rowan and yew. In summer, the forests are generally cool and dark, because the beech produces a dense canopy, and thus restricts the growth of other species of tree and wild flowers. In the spring, however, thick carpets of bluebells can be found, flourishing before the beech leafs out and shades the forest floor. The National Vegetation Classification
Nyssa sylvatica Nyssa sylvatica Nyssa sylvatica, commonly known as Tupelo, Black gum, sour gum, is a medium-sized deciduous tree native to eastern North America from the coastal Northeast USA and southern Ontario south to central Florida and eastern Texas, as well as Mexico. "Nyssa sylvatica"'s genus name "(Nyssa)" refers to a Greek water nymph; the species epithet "sylvatica" refers to its woodland habitat. The species' common name tupelo is of Native American origin, coming from the Creek words "ito" ‘tree’ and "opilwa" ‘swamp’; it was in use by the mid-18th century While these trees are often known as simply "tupelo", the fuller