North East Botany

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…

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…

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.

Cut-leaved Dead-nettle (Lamium hybridum)

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.

A pink Pyramidal Orchid from a trip to Lindisfarne - one of the best places to explore botany in the North East.
Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis)

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.

Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis)

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.

Okay, so perhaps I am a botanist. Albeit one with lots to learn as we continue exploring botany in the North East.

Mountain Pansy, one of the joys of North East botany
Mountain Pansy (Viola lutea)