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A little further along the Seine: an albizia, or Persian silk tree. Its leaves close at the night, hence its Persian name “shabkhosb” (night sleeper). This also explains its Chinese name “hehuan”, which means "shut happy", like a happy couple in bed. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albizia_j…

One should never cycle past a Catalpa without stopping to admire its flowers from up close. Thousands of mini-orchids, only for those who take the time to stop. Bois de Boulogne, Paris

The most elegant of #crackweeds: everywhere in Paris you can see Paulownia tree shoots sprouting in cracks in the pavement. They are easily recognizable, with their big leaves. Most of them look a little raggedy, but this one, by the Arc de Triomphe, stands proud and tall.

Most #Paulownia shoots look like this one, in the 15th close to Parc Citroen: small and furtive, and they know they willl never grow to be trees.

But if left alone, #Paulownia shoots can grow quite tall, like this one on Quay Jacques Chirac, across from the Eiffel Tower. Look at the size of these leaves. I hope Paris gardeners let it grow. Across the road, in May, the road is a blaze of blue when the Paulownias bloom.

This explains why the huge Paulownia shoot on Quai Jacques Chirac has such massive leaves. It has no doubt been cut back many times. Thanks @Scott_Zona

Best-kept secret of the 16th arrondissement: Parc Sainte-Perine, hidden inside a large city block, with only two discreet entrances, is a mini-arboretum. This Paper mulberry (mûrier à papier, Broussonetia papyrifera) is one of its stars. Very rare in Paris parks.

Leaves and fruit of the Paper mulberry. Would not have been able to identify it without PictureThis. In the old days it could take weeks to identify a tree, sometimes I would go ask city gardeners to be sure.

Rarely used bike! That bold plant is flax leaf fleabane (erigeron bonarensis) a tough #crackweed that loves roadsides, waste dumps and building sites. And rue Fremicourt, in the 15th.

In the space of one cobblestone. Streets of Ixelles, Brussels: you take out one cobblestone or a pavement stone and you plant a flowering shrub. Passionflower, hibiscus, roses. One cobblestone, one. How these plants get sufficient water and nutrients is a mystery, but it works

On the appropriately named Rue des Vignes in Clamart, south of Paris, grapevines on a street fence.

More food on the fence: pumpkins, grapes and pears in Malakoff and Vanves, two Paris suburbs with lots of hidden little roads and alleyways. Great for a bike tour.

Architectural and natural splendor: a “meulière” house in Clamart with a #tamerisk tree in front of it.

#Meulière houses are literally everywhere in the Ile-de-France region around Paris. Built between the late 1800s and early 1900s as villas for wealthy Parisians, they use the same stone that was used for millstones. Their ochre colour sets them apart. Many have lovely old gardens

Oh beautiful #crackweed: a tobacco plant, with its delicate flowers. How did it get there, Rue de Cévennes, 15ième Paris, next to a parking meter, dog pee in a puddle at its feet.

Ha, finally saw another Chinese mahogany tree in Paris, on Boulevard Edgar Quinet, 14th, in front of the Montparnasse cemetery entrance. Toona sinensis

Chinese mahogany, at Montparnasse cemetery entrance. Its leaves look like larger versions of the sophora japonicas on the same stretch

Wild flowers patch at Palais des Congres. The entire area has been spectacularly well redone, great bike lanes everywhere, plants, trees. Paris really has changed so much in recent years.

Just on the other side of the périph from Palais des Congres, in Neuilly, this red valerian spilling out of a planter box. One of my favorite plants. They love alkaline soil, they can grow on limestone walls, even on the top of Mont Saint Michel.