Marcescence

Listening to Graham Porter, the gardening expert on Radio Leeds this morning, I learnt a new word.
Marcescence from the Latin marcescere - to fade.
The ‘ holding on’ of leaves through the winter months as in my photo of the oak leaves.
The reasons are not clear, but may be to protect the new leaf buds from winter desiccation, and as a delayed source of nutrients or moisture - conserving mulch when the leaves finally fall and decompose in spring.
Spotted on our local walk today.

Not too cold, but dull and dreary.
I do miss the sun!