Dr Astrid Biddle
@astridbiddle.bsky.social
Joint BSBI and BBS recorder for Hertfordshire.
🌱Celebrating the joy of Botany and Bryology.
❤️Aquatic plants & many other. Scarce Tufted-sedge. Plant ecology. Rivers, ponds & lakes.
🌱Celebrating the joy of Botany and Bryology.
❤️Aquatic plants & many other. Scarce Tufted-sedge. Plant ecology. Rivers, ponds & lakes.
Clathrus ruber in Madeira.
November 21, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Clathrus ruber in Madeira.
Quite a few were “leftover” spares & a bit small, so I’m really pleased to see how many have taken. Next couple of years will be telling here.
Plants were turning brown in the autumn. When I grew this at home I thought they had all died at that point. They sprout green in spring.
Here's my mapping😀
Plants were turning brown in the autumn. When I grew this at home I thought they had all died at that point. They sprout green in spring.
Here's my mapping😀
November 8, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Quite a few were “leftover” spares & a bit small, so I’m really pleased to see how many have taken. Next couple of years will be telling here.
Plants were turning brown in the autumn. When I grew this at home I thought they had all died at that point. They sprout green in spring.
Here's my mapping😀
Plants were turning brown in the autumn. When I grew this at home I thought they had all died at that point. They sprout green in spring.
Here's my mapping😀
Today I recorded 272 Scarce Tufted-sedge (Carex cespitosa) today — a 72.5% survival rate at Panshanger Park! It’s the driest site and completely rain-fed, which made things tough this summer.
NE Species Recovery Capital Grant, awarded to HMWT.
NE Species Recovery Capital Grant, awarded to HMWT.
November 8, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Today I recorded 272 Scarce Tufted-sedge (Carex cespitosa) today — a 72.5% survival rate at Panshanger Park! It’s the driest site and completely rain-fed, which made things tough this summer.
NE Species Recovery Capital Grant, awarded to HMWT.
NE Species Recovery Capital Grant, awarded to HMWT.
So far I have Vaucheria bursata, V. canalicularis, and a strange one that I've not seen before. Still battling IDs.
October 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM
So far I have Vaucheria bursata, V. canalicularis, and a strange one that I've not seen before. Still battling IDs.
Leaves now turning for autumn 🍂 after a season of extremes — great to see some great tussocks. We may move those in drier locations next year.
Supported by the NE SRP capital grant.
Thanks to all who helped with planting and today to Des Pike for help with pulling Typha and monitoring! 🙌
Supported by the NE SRP capital grant.
Thanks to all who helped with planting and today to Des Pike for help with pulling Typha and monitoring! 🙌
October 18, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Leaves now turning for autumn 🍂 after a season of extremes — great to see some great tussocks. We may move those in drier locations next year.
Supported by the NE SRP capital grant.
Thanks to all who helped with planting and today to Des Pike for help with pulling Typha and monitoring! 🙌
Supported by the NE SRP capital grant.
Thanks to all who helped with planting and today to Des Pike for help with pulling Typha and monitoring! 🙌
When you hit the right depth & hydroperiod, the tussocks are fantastic — starting to form pedestals, lush growth, and obviously strong rooting 💧
Shows how precise hydrology can make or break wetland planting success.
Shows how precise hydrology can make or break wetland planting success.
October 18, 2025 at 8:42 PM
When you hit the right depth & hydroperiod, the tussocks are fantastic — starting to form pedestals, lush growth, and obviously strong rooting 💧
Shows how precise hydrology can make or break wetland planting success.
Shows how precise hydrology can make or break wetland planting success.
🌿 Scarce Tufted-sedge (C. cespitosa) monitoring at Fir & Pond Woods (HMWT Reserve).
Early planting in very high winter water levels, then months of drought — a real test of resilience, aided by pre-tussock formation.
Still, 71 % establishment success! 💪
@naturalengland.bsky.social
Early planting in very high winter water levels, then months of drought — a real test of resilience, aided by pre-tussock formation.
Still, 71 % establishment success! 💪
@naturalengland.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 8:39 PM
🌿 Scarce Tufted-sedge (C. cespitosa) monitoring at Fir & Pond Woods (HMWT Reserve).
Early planting in very high winter water levels, then months of drought — a real test of resilience, aided by pre-tussock formation.
Still, 71 % establishment success! 💪
@naturalengland.bsky.social
Early planting in very high winter water levels, then months of drought — a real test of resilience, aided by pre-tussock formation.
Still, 71 % establishment success! 💪
@naturalengland.bsky.social
I've been growing my Vaucheria algae for six days, so far & producing antheridia & oogonia. That means I can identify it to species level. This one was from Port Meadow.
We are beginning to suspect that they can indicate fine habitats, perhaps those of long management continuity.
Ready on Sunday?
We are beginning to suspect that they can indicate fine habitats, perhaps those of long management continuity.
Ready on Sunday?
October 17, 2025 at 10:34 AM
I've been growing my Vaucheria algae for six days, so far & producing antheridia & oogonia. That means I can identify it to species level. This one was from Port Meadow.
We are beginning to suspect that they can indicate fine habitats, perhaps those of long management continuity.
Ready on Sunday?
We are beginning to suspect that they can indicate fine habitats, perhaps those of long management continuity.
Ready on Sunday?
I also refound the Spike-rush, Eleocharis palustris subspecies palustris mentioned in the publication of Lewis and John, 1961. I need to a summer return visit to record the morphometrics of the flower spike. It's a co-associate!
This subspecies is data-deficient on the UK Red List.
This subspecies is data-deficient on the UK Red List.
October 12, 2025 at 7:51 PM
I also refound the Spike-rush, Eleocharis palustris subspecies palustris mentioned in the publication of Lewis and John, 1961. I need to a summer return visit to record the morphometrics of the flower spike. It's a co-associate!
This subspecies is data-deficient on the UK Red List.
This subspecies is data-deficient on the UK Red List.
The closest co-associates 2 algae, Vaucheria & Botrydium granulatum, a feature shared with the Wilstone Reservoir population.
Both benefit from being single, multinucleate cells without cross walls (coenocytic) to respond to pioneer conditions. Multicellular algae might otherwise desiccate & die.
Both benefit from being single, multinucleate cells without cross walls (coenocytic) to respond to pioneer conditions. Multicellular algae might otherwise desiccate & die.
October 12, 2025 at 7:46 PM
The closest co-associates 2 algae, Vaucheria & Botrydium granulatum, a feature shared with the Wilstone Reservoir population.
Both benefit from being single, multinucleate cells without cross walls (coenocytic) to respond to pioneer conditions. Multicellular algae might otherwise desiccate & die.
Both benefit from being single, multinucleate cells without cross walls (coenocytic) to respond to pioneer conditions. Multicellular algae might otherwise desiccate & die.
To put this into perspective, at Wilstone Reservoir in 2023, following a large drawdown event, I recorded Mudwort with an occupancy of 1261 OS 1 m grid cells.
The yellow is Mudwort.
The yellow is Mudwort.
October 12, 2025 at 7:43 PM
To put this into perspective, at Wilstone Reservoir in 2023, following a large drawdown event, I recorded Mudwort with an occupancy of 1261 OS 1 m grid cells.
The yellow is Mudwort.
The yellow is Mudwort.
Dropped points where the plant was found and converted to a 1 m square presence.
It had a 259 1 m grid occupancy. If assuming at least 10 plants per 1 m grid, that would give a minimum population number of 2500!
It had a 259 1 m grid occupancy. If assuming at least 10 plants per 1 m grid, that would give a minimum population number of 2500!
October 12, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Dropped points where the plant was found and converted to a 1 m square presence.
It had a 259 1 m grid occupancy. If assuming at least 10 plants per 1 m grid, that would give a minimum population number of 2500!
It had a 259 1 m grid occupancy. If assuming at least 10 plants per 1 m grid, that would give a minimum population number of 2500!
A synchronous emergence of seedlings, and in some places really dense.
Germination is enhanced by submersion (exposure to hypoxic conditions). This increases the germination rate and percentage once aerobic conditions return (Phartyal, S.S., et al., 2020).
Germination is enhanced by submersion (exposure to hypoxic conditions). This increases the germination rate and percentage once aerobic conditions return (Phartyal, S.S., et al., 2020).
October 12, 2025 at 7:36 PM
A synchronous emergence of seedlings, and in some places really dense.
Germination is enhanced by submersion (exposure to hypoxic conditions). This increases the germination rate and percentage once aerobic conditions return (Phartyal, S.S., et al., 2020).
Germination is enhanced by submersion (exposure to hypoxic conditions). This increases the germination rate and percentage once aerobic conditions return (Phartyal, S.S., et al., 2020).
I wanted to look at the Mudwort (Limosella aquatica) at Port Meadow this weekend, following the report of it by @trisnorton.bsky.social
I wanted to find the Smut fungus Doassansia limosellae, which was last seen in the UK in 1929. No luck though.
Here is Mudwort in flower!
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
I wanted to find the Smut fungus Doassansia limosellae, which was last seen in the UK in 1929. No luck though.
Here is Mudwort in flower!
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
October 12, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I wanted to look at the Mudwort (Limosella aquatica) at Port Meadow this weekend, following the report of it by @trisnorton.bsky.social
I wanted to find the Smut fungus Doassansia limosellae, which was last seen in the UK in 1929. No luck though.
Here is Mudwort in flower!
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
I wanted to find the Smut fungus Doassansia limosellae, which was last seen in the UK in 1929. No luck though.
Here is Mudwort in flower!
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Cytotypes have been studied moving from Portugal to Pannonian basin, linked to the timing of drawdown events, wildfowl migration, and meeting habitats at similar stages.
Drying habitats increases the risk of being overwhelmed by more vigorous terrestrial species when exposed.
Drying habitats increases the risk of being overwhelmed by more vigorous terrestrial species when exposed.
October 5, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Cytotypes have been studied moving from Portugal to Pannonian basin, linked to the timing of drawdown events, wildfowl migration, and meeting habitats at similar stages.
Drying habitats increases the risk of being overwhelmed by more vigorous terrestrial species when exposed.
Drying habitats increases the risk of being overwhelmed by more vigorous terrestrial species when exposed.
They flower from March to May, so if the habitat dries out too early, the plants are killed by desiccation. In countries where there is an abrupt transition from winter to summer, it fares poorly.
Our UK R. tripartitus is triploid. And on the Iberian peninsula, they are hexaploid. (Middlesex shown)
Our UK R. tripartitus is triploid. And on the Iberian peninsula, they are hexaploid. (Middlesex shown)
October 5, 2025 at 7:23 PM
They flower from March to May, so if the habitat dries out too early, the plants are killed by desiccation. In countries where there is an abrupt transition from winter to summer, it fares poorly.
Our UK R. tripartitus is triploid. And on the Iberian peninsula, they are hexaploid. (Middlesex shown)
Our UK R. tripartitus is triploid. And on the Iberian peninsula, they are hexaploid. (Middlesex shown)
Other things seen: Young Water Dock (Rumex hydrolapathum) and fringing the river was the wonderful Whorl-grass (Catabrosa aquatica), which is vulnerable on the red list.
October 5, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Other things seen: Young Water Dock (Rumex hydrolapathum) and fringing the river was the wonderful Whorl-grass (Catabrosa aquatica), which is vulnerable on the red list.
Seed and fly free! There are areas along the Gade which are fine, clean water places, and I hope it will find these and prosper.
October 5, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Seed and fly free! There are areas along the Gade which are fine, clean water places, and I hope it will find these and prosper.
Each point is a surviving plant. The river post-restoration has been substantially narrowed, so the base map no longer makes sense.
October 5, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Each point is a surviving plant. The river post-restoration has been substantially narrowed, so the base map no longer makes sense.
They face tough competition from the tall fen herbs; the riparian zone fenced and ungrazed to benefit fish and others. Elevated N in river. Water seeps from the valley side through the C. cespitosa area, towards the river, watering it, and perhaps locally giving cleaner water.
October 5, 2025 at 6:10 PM
They face tough competition from the tall fen herbs; the riparian zone fenced and ungrazed to benefit fish and others. Elevated N in river. Water seeps from the valley side through the C. cespitosa area, towards the river, watering it, and perhaps locally giving cleaner water.
This was a reintroduction for NE SRP.
I placed flags at all the plants I found, & out of just over 200 plants, only 2 were failing. That's an astonishing summer survival rate. Plants are of the size ready to flower & set seed next year, furnishing the downstream restoration sections with new plants.
I placed flags at all the plants I found, & out of just over 200 plants, only 2 were failing. That's an astonishing summer survival rate. Plants are of the size ready to flower & set seed next year, furnishing the downstream restoration sections with new plants.
October 5, 2025 at 6:09 PM
This was a reintroduction for NE SRP.
I placed flags at all the plants I found, & out of just over 200 plants, only 2 were failing. That's an astonishing summer survival rate. Plants are of the size ready to flower & set seed next year, furnishing the downstream restoration sections with new plants.
I placed flags at all the plants I found, & out of just over 200 plants, only 2 were failing. That's an astonishing summer survival rate. Plants are of the size ready to flower & set seed next year, furnishing the downstream restoration sections with new plants.
Completely blown away today by how the Scarce Tufted-sedge (Carex cespitosa) was faring on the River Gade.
It was with trepidation that I entered the river. Vegetation had grown tall this summer. 2025 was one of the worst for reintroducing a wetland plant. Summer drought followed high winter water.
It was with trepidation that I entered the river. Vegetation had grown tall this summer. 2025 was one of the worst for reintroducing a wetland plant. Summer drought followed high winter water.
October 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Completely blown away today by how the Scarce Tufted-sedge (Carex cespitosa) was faring on the River Gade.
It was with trepidation that I entered the river. Vegetation had grown tall this summer. 2025 was one of the worst for reintroducing a wetland plant. Summer drought followed high winter water.
It was with trepidation that I entered the river. Vegetation had grown tall this summer. 2025 was one of the worst for reintroducing a wetland plant. Summer drought followed high winter water.
A mere ten days ago I was at the 17th International Symposium on Aquatic Plants in Lisbon. Here on the field trip:
A Cladium Mariscus Saw Sedge floating mat in the River Sado, topped with Salix atrocinerea. Other species were Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis), and Marsh Fern (Thelypteris palustris).
A Cladium Mariscus Saw Sedge floating mat in the River Sado, topped with Salix atrocinerea. Other species were Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis), and Marsh Fern (Thelypteris palustris).
October 1, 2025 at 7:23 PM
A mere ten days ago I was at the 17th International Symposium on Aquatic Plants in Lisbon. Here on the field trip:
A Cladium Mariscus Saw Sedge floating mat in the River Sado, topped with Salix atrocinerea. Other species were Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis), and Marsh Fern (Thelypteris palustris).
A Cladium Mariscus Saw Sedge floating mat in the River Sado, topped with Salix atrocinerea. Other species were Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis), and Marsh Fern (Thelypteris palustris).
I was looking through my photos from Porto from earlier this year.
Strapwort (Corrigiola litoralis) had been looking very fine. It grew with Coral-necklace (Illecebrum verticillatum) on a path with a seepage running across it. What a lovely plant!
Strapwort (Corrigiola litoralis) had been looking very fine. It grew with Coral-necklace (Illecebrum verticillatum) on a path with a seepage running across it. What a lovely plant!
September 28, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I was looking through my photos from Porto from earlier this year.
Strapwort (Corrigiola litoralis) had been looking very fine. It grew with Coral-necklace (Illecebrum verticillatum) on a path with a seepage running across it. What a lovely plant!
Strapwort (Corrigiola litoralis) had been looking very fine. It grew with Coral-necklace (Illecebrum verticillatum) on a path with a seepage running across it. What a lovely plant!
Fenland preparing for winter. Whorled Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum verticillatum) forming dense, dark-green turions which will keep the plant safe in the cold.
September 27, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Fenland preparing for winter. Whorled Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum verticillatum) forming dense, dark-green turions which will keep the plant safe in the cold.