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Lathraea clandestina – 22 March 2021 – purple toothwort, clandestine
If you go down to the River Esk today you may be in for a visual surprise. At the base of an alder, crack willow…Continue reading »
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Pinus sylvestris – 15th March 2021 – Scots Pine
To walk in the native pinewood is uplifting, it has spiritual appeal. Pineforests and the wildlife therein are 'jewels in the crown' of Scotland's biodiversity,Continue reading »
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Grimmia anodon – 8th March 2021 – (Toothless Grimmia)
A Grimm's Fairy Tale from Auld Reekie: a botanical story from Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.Continue reading »
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Petasites app. (4 species) – March 1st 2021 – Butterbur
If you’re a bored botanist waiting for the summer to start, you can do a lot worse than taking on a quest to bag all…Continue reading »
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The fungus without a name – 22nd February 2021
Here is another honorary plant - a fungus that is common in the urban environment but inconspicuous and disregarded - except by rodents.Continue reading »
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Some Special Plants of Forest Tracks
Unusual plants are easily overlooked when they are small and growing beside your walking route. Here are a few you might find.Continue reading »
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Gagea lutea – Feb 15th 2021 – Yellow Star-of-Bethlehem
You may never have seen the Yellow Star of Bethlehem but you can read about it here.Continue reading »
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Ficaria verna – February 8th 2021 (Lesser Celandine)
It's nearly time for Lesser Celandines to be in flower. Another sign of Spring.Continue reading »
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Galanthus nivalis – 1st February 2021- Snowdrop
It's snowdrop time. This iconic plant cheers us up and may also save lives.Continue reading »
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Xylaria hypoxylon – 24 January – Candlesnuff fungus
This week we take a look at the candlesnuff fungus, one of several members of the Ascomycota that are especially conspicuous in winter.Continue reading »
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Marchantia polymorpha – 18 to 25th January 2021 – The Common Liverwort
This week David and Maria Chamberlain present the first liverwort we have covered in Plant of the Week - with some amazing images.Continue reading »
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Easter Ross Railway Stations – The floral story of 19 years
Brian Ballinger has been investigating the flora of railway stations in Easter Ross.The number of species has declined.Continue reading »
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These are the Plants of the Week that Was – assorted species from New Year’s Day – posted for week 11-18 January 2021
We thought you'd like to know what we found in flower on New Year's day. There are 60 species.Continue reading »
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Viscum album – 4th January 2021 – Common Mistletoe
This week, we make a seasonal offering of mistletoe. Focussing on the only species which occurs in the UK, but mentioning more flamboyant tropical species.Continue reading »
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Juniperus communis – 28th December 2020 – Juniper
Juniperus communis has a vast world-wide distribution, but in Britain it has declined in recent years. Roger West has been investigating this iconic species.Continue reading »
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Hedera helix – December 21st 2020 – Ivy
Evergreen plants have been seen as a harbinger of spring since pre-Christian times, and therefore involved in celebrations of the mid-winter solstice, as they still…Continue reading »
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Dundee in Bloom in November 2020
Brian Ballinger finds many species still flowering in late November..Continue reading »
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Hippophaë rhamnoides – Sea buckthorn – 14th December 2020
"Sea buckthorn is a plant of many parts: it is known for its medicinal properties, for its ecological contributions to dune stabilisation, as a supply…Continue reading »
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Cyathus olla – 7th December – Bird’s Nest Fungus,
Cameron Diekonigin tells a story of the unexpected: “Whilst queuing I glanced out of the car window onto some pale grey discs scattered over the…Continue reading »
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Taxus baccata – 30th November – Yew
Yew, Taxus baccata, is a long-lived native tree. Some trees are thought to be 1000s of years old. All parts of the plant are toxic…Continue reading »
