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Growing as a small deciduous tree up to 20 feet in height, the centre of the twigs is generally hollow, filling with a corky pith as they become older. Leaves are pinnate in opposite pairs of 5-7 leaflets. Fragrant umbels of creamy flowers appear from late May and throughout June and are of approximately uniform size.
In ancient Mexican agriculture the three sisters were corn, beans and pumpkin. Together, they combine to make a complex and sustainable plant growing process that gives the soil fertility and healthy food for people. Corn was the main crop, which provided more calories than any other. Legend has it that corn should be grown with other crops, rather than alone as it needs the help of its sisters.
Cleavers are annuals with creeping straggling stems which spread over other plants attaching themselves with small hooked hairs which grow out of the stems and leaves. The angular stems can reach up to three feet or longer and carry whorls of six to eight simple linear leaves. They have tiny, star-shaped, white to greenish flowers, which emerge from early spring to summer.
To help us celebrate Earth Day on 22 April this week, here is an opportunity to take a closer look at some of the microscopic creatures that live in the ground and help to build and maintain the soil. View our earth microscope video showing different samples from compost, leaf mould, soil and worm castings (worm poo).
