Notes and observations on botany in the North East. From urban weeds to elusive orchids, we’ll explore it all.
Botany in the Nort East
By now, you’ll no doubt know that I am slightly obsessed with our wild plants.
As a BSBI Vice-County Recorder and as someone who loves nothing more than spending time among flowers, much of my spare time is dedicated to botany.
Whether we’re talking urban weeds or elusive orchids, this page brings together my observations on flora in the North East. While I am far from an expert, I hope you’ll find something here to interest you.
Latest botany blogs
Get started identifying Speedwells
Get started identifying wild and naturalised speedwells in a brand-new crib sheet suitable for beginners. Find keys boring? You’re not alone. While those of us who spend our days obsessively…
Exploring Alien Plants in Newcastle
A short round-up of an excellent few days spent recording alien plants in Newcastle.
Getting to Grips with Spring Bulbs
Last weekend, I decided to take a closer look at wild and naturalised spring bulbs. From snowdrops to crocuses, here are a few spotted on recent walks. Daffodils, crocuses and…
An Urban Flora of Newcastle: Progress & Problems so Far
An update on ongoing survey carried out to map and record the diverse and fascinating Urban Flora of Newcastle.
A Winter Walk at Hareshaw Linn
A short account of a frosty trip to Hareshaw Linn in Northumberland last weekend
Exploring Urban Cotoneasters in Newcastle
Recently, I’ve been taking a closer look at wild and naturalised cotoneasters in Newcastle. Here’s what I’ve found so far, from an amateur’s perspective.
Identifying Snowdrops
Get started identifying the wild and naturalised snowdrops you’re most likely to spot in a brand-new crib sheet suitable for beginners.
Identifying Small-flowered Fleabanes
Get started identifying small-flowered fleabanes a brand-new crib sheet suitable for beginners. So far, this fledgling series of botanical cribs has focused on plants commonly encountered in urban areas. In…
Common’s Cribs
I’ve launched a new series of beginner-friendly crib sheets to help fledgling botanists get to grips with a host of interesting plan families and groups.
From ragworts to fleabanes and snowdrops, all cribs can be downloaded for free using the link below.
Plant of the Week
Britain is home to some 2,490 plant species. Some native, others introduced from far-flung corners of the world. With so many out there, there’s an awful to be discovered.
Going forward, I’ll be taking a closer look at one wild plant that has caught my eye this week.
Recording Urban Flora
We all have our individual interests and for me, it is our urban plants that interest me the most.
Currently, I am recording with the aim of producing an ‘Urban Flora’ of Newcastle. See below for updates.
Comparing Plant ID Apps
With so many plant apps out there to choose from, just where do you turn when trying to identify a troublesome plant?
Recently, I took a closer look at several plant ID apps to see which came out on top.
I’m a botanist, I guess…
I’m not sure how it happened, but I certainly never planned to head down the botanical rabbit hole.
I have always loved plants, sure, though much of my wildlife recording focused on birds and insects. Fast forward a few years and I seldom look at birds, forever looking down as opposed to up.
Learning as I go, much of my time is now dedicated to plants: as a BSBI Vice-County Recorder for North Northumberland, iRecord verifier for South Northumberland, and co-coordinator of my local natural history society’s Botany Group. A somewhat daunting set of prospects for an amateur!
Okay, so perhaps I am a botanist. Albeit one with lots to learn as we continue exploring botany in the North East.
