Plants of the week (A-Z)

This plant has declined sharply in recent decades. Formerly it was a common weed of cornfields.

They say it's a woodland plant but Linnaeus called it Geum urbanum. It finds plenty of places to grow in the urban environment.

This orchid is ‘faithful’ to pinewoods, and distinctly northern in its British distribution.

A Grimm's Fairy Tale from Auld Reekie: a botanical story from Holyrood Park, Edinburgh.

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 are. Roger West explores cultural symbolism, taxonomy and water transport in this unusual plant.

Heracleum mantegazzianum, the Giant Hogweed by John Grace, The University of Edinburgh The Giant Hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum, is one of the most striking of the... Read More

By Roger West This is a member of the family Apiaceae (formerly Umbelliferae, because the flowers of all species are borne in umbels) until botanical... Read More

"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 of food for birds flying along their autumn migration route, and above all the striking berries set against the blue-grey leaves". Maria Chamberlain has been exploring the species.

This seaside plant may be male, female or hermaphrodite. It's just coming into flower, and if you live near the seaside please take a close look. A full Scottish survey of its sexuality would be very interesting.