Big Meadow Search
@bigmeadowsearch.bsky.social
UK project to raise awareness and interest in plants, highlighting species interactions (plants and inverts, galls, fungi etc) & encouraging plant recording during the Big Meadow Search (1st June-31st Aug). All welcome #nature #plants bigmeadowsearch.co.uk
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
Kicking yourself because you missed Mark Duffell's recent Botanical Skills Webinar on the etymology of scientific names?
Or maybe you just want to watch it all over again because there was soooo much to take in!
No problem, we recorded the webinar for you!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8o4...
Or maybe you just want to watch it all over again because there was soooo much to take in!
No problem, we recorded the webinar for you!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8o4...
November 13, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Kicking yourself because you missed Mark Duffell's recent Botanical Skills Webinar on the etymology of scientific names?
Or maybe you just want to watch it all over again because there was soooo much to take in!
No problem, we recorded the webinar for you!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8o4...
Or maybe you just want to watch it all over again because there was soooo much to take in!
No problem, we recorded the webinar for you!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8o4...
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
New research from @unileipzig.bsky.social & iDiv shows: when non-native plants have been in Europe longer and have spread more widely, they begin to be used by native micro-herbivores at levels similar to native plants. #Biodiversity #iDivResearch
www.idiv.de/non-native-p...
www.idiv.de/non-native-p...
Non-native Plant Species Adapt to Natural Ecosystems Faster than Expected
www.idiv.de
November 11, 2025 at 3:04 PM
New research from @unileipzig.bsky.social & iDiv shows: when non-native plants have been in Europe longer and have spread more widely, they begin to be used by native micro-herbivores at levels similar to native plants. #Biodiversity #iDivResearch
www.idiv.de/non-native-p...
www.idiv.de/non-native-p...
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
On Monday 17th November we have a webinar from our @npwsireland.bsky.social-funded Targeted Aquatic Plants Project.
This webinar, from the fantastic Nick Stewart, is about the identification of non-native aquatic plants.
Interested? Book yourself a ticket here: www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
This webinar, from the fantastic Nick Stewart, is about the identification of non-native aquatic plants.
Interested? Book yourself a ticket here: www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
November 11, 2025 at 8:53 PM
On Monday 17th November we have a webinar from our @npwsireland.bsky.social-funded Targeted Aquatic Plants Project.
This webinar, from the fantastic Nick Stewart, is about the identification of non-native aquatic plants.
Interested? Book yourself a ticket here: www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
This webinar, from the fantastic Nick Stewart, is about the identification of non-native aquatic plants.
Interested? Book yourself a ticket here: www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
The Botanical Society of Scotland’s Plant of the Week: Hart’s-tongue
botsocscot.wordpress.com/2025/11/09/p...
botsocscot.wordpress.com/2025/11/09/p...
Plant of the Week – November 10th 2025 – Hart’s Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium)
Common in Britain and Ireland, but rare elsewhere
botsocscot.wordpress.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:56 AM
The Botanical Society of Scotland’s Plant of the Week: Hart’s-tongue
botsocscot.wordpress.com/2025/11/09/p...
botsocscot.wordpress.com/2025/11/09/p...
For #wildflowerhour it’s the unglamorous Annual Meadow Grass, Poa annua. According to the 1864 Flora of Harrow, this and Shepherd’s-purse were considered to be the most common plants in the world
November 9, 2025 at 8:07 PM
For #wildflowerhour it’s the unglamorous Annual Meadow Grass, Poa annua. According to the 1864 Flora of Harrow, this and Shepherd’s-purse were considered to be the most common plants in the world
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
Pirri-Pirri Bur, Pampas grass, Wireweed: all plants from the S Hemisphere that are establishing in the UK. Can we explain current and predict future invasions by S Hemisphere plants? Apply for this NERC ACCE+ PhD project to find out: tinyurl.com/374ty2b7
Please Repost! @acce-dla.bsky.social
Please Repost! @acce-dla.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Pirri-Pirri Bur, Pampas grass, Wireweed: all plants from the S Hemisphere that are establishing in the UK. Can we explain current and predict future invasions by S Hemisphere plants? Apply for this NERC ACCE+ PhD project to find out: tinyurl.com/374ty2b7
Please Repost! @acce-dla.bsky.social
Please Repost! @acce-dla.bsky.social
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
We have another dozen talks still to go, with the next four being:
🟢Getting started with Rushes
🟢Leylandii and their look-a-likes
🟢10 Years of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme
🟢 Clubmosses of Ireland and Britain
All of these can be booked from this page: bsbi.org/botanical-sk...
🟢Getting started with Rushes
🟢Leylandii and their look-a-likes
🟢10 Years of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme
🟢 Clubmosses of Ireland and Britain
All of these can be booked from this page: bsbi.org/botanical-sk...
November 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
We have another dozen talks still to go, with the next four being:
🟢Getting started with Rushes
🟢Leylandii and their look-a-likes
🟢10 Years of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme
🟢 Clubmosses of Ireland and Britain
All of these can be booked from this page: bsbi.org/botanical-sk...
🟢Getting started with Rushes
🟢Leylandii and their look-a-likes
🟢10 Years of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme
🟢 Clubmosses of Ireland and Britain
All of these can be booked from this page: bsbi.org/botanical-sk...
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
Over the winter, our Northern Ireland Botanical Skills Project is running a series of webinars on Tuesday evenings. This week we had the amazing Mark Duffell explaining the etymology of scientific names.
Who knew that 'galeobdolon', the specific name of Yellow Archangel, means weasel-scented?
Who knew that 'galeobdolon', the specific name of Yellow Archangel, means weasel-scented?
November 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Over the winter, our Northern Ireland Botanical Skills Project is running a series of webinars on Tuesday evenings. This week we had the amazing Mark Duffell explaining the etymology of scientific names.
Who knew that 'galeobdolon', the specific name of Yellow Archangel, means weasel-scented?
Who knew that 'galeobdolon', the specific name of Yellow Archangel, means weasel-scented?
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
Did you know some of the world’s most threatened plants can’t be stored in our seed bank at –20° C? 🌱
This makes them highly vulnerable to extinction, but cryopreservation could be their lifeline. Go behind the scenes to learn how 👇
🎧 Learn more in our latest podcast episode: ow.ly/Q1Nl50XlYTF
This makes them highly vulnerable to extinction, but cryopreservation could be their lifeline. Go behind the scenes to learn how 👇
🎧 Learn more in our latest podcast episode: ow.ly/Q1Nl50XlYTF
November 6, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Did you know some of the world’s most threatened plants can’t be stored in our seed bank at –20° C? 🌱
This makes them highly vulnerable to extinction, but cryopreservation could be their lifeline. Go behind the scenes to learn how 👇
🎧 Learn more in our latest podcast episode: ow.ly/Q1Nl50XlYTF
This makes them highly vulnerable to extinction, but cryopreservation could be their lifeline. Go behind the scenes to learn how 👇
🎧 Learn more in our latest podcast episode: ow.ly/Q1Nl50XlYTF
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
Major revision of #GBRedList of plants published today shows 25% of our native & archaeophyte flora threatened with extinction. Many iconic widespread species classified as threatened for first time including Betony, Marsh Marigold, Devil’s-bit Scabious and Harebell. Another wake-up call for action!
November 5, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Major revision of #GBRedList of plants published today shows 25% of our native & archaeophyte flora threatened with extinction. Many iconic widespread species classified as threatened for first time including Betony, Marsh Marigold, Devil’s-bit Scabious and Harebell. Another wake-up call for action!
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
20 years on from the first #GBRedList for vascular plants - what's changed?
285 taxa have become more threatened.
Critically Endangered up from 35 to 55 taxa, Endangered up from 90 to 117 taxa, Vulnerable up from 220 to 261 taxa 😱☠️
Action needed now! Well done @bsbibotany.bsky.social and partners
285 taxa have become more threatened.
Critically Endangered up from 35 to 55 taxa, Endangered up from 90 to 117 taxa, Vulnerable up from 220 to 261 taxa 😱☠️
Action needed now! Well done @bsbibotany.bsky.social and partners
New #GBRedList for vascular plants is published today by a team led by @bsbibotany.bsky.social with partners @naturalengland.bsky.social @ukceh.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social @natreswales.bsky.social @nhm-london.bsky.social @plantlifeintl.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social @thebotanics.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 3:54 PM
20 years on from the first #GBRedList for vascular plants - what's changed?
285 taxa have become more threatened.
Critically Endangered up from 35 to 55 taxa, Endangered up from 90 to 117 taxa, Vulnerable up from 220 to 261 taxa 😱☠️
Action needed now! Well done @bsbibotany.bsky.social and partners
285 taxa have become more threatened.
Critically Endangered up from 35 to 55 taxa, Endangered up from 90 to 117 taxa, Vulnerable up from 220 to 261 taxa 😱☠️
Action needed now! Well done @bsbibotany.bsky.social and partners
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
The story of Fen Orchid is a bright spot in the gloomy picture of the new #GBRedList
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social show that positive conservation actions can make a difference to the threats plants face, highlighted by @emilybeament.bsky.social in @the-independent.com
www.indy100.com/news/beautif...
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social show that positive conservation actions can make a difference to the threats plants face, highlighted by @emilybeament.bsky.social in @the-independent.com
www.indy100.com/news/beautif...
‘Beautiful yet mercurial’ fen orchid brought back from brink of extinction
The orchid’s increasing population in Britain is a bright spot in otherwise ‘stark picture’ for British wild plants, the latest Red List shows.
www.indy100.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The story of Fen Orchid is a bright spot in the gloomy picture of the new #GBRedList
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social show that positive conservation actions can make a difference to the threats plants face, highlighted by @emilybeament.bsky.social in @the-independent.com
www.indy100.com/news/beautif...
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social show that positive conservation actions can make a difference to the threats plants face, highlighted by @emilybeament.bsky.social in @the-independent.com
www.indy100.com/news/beautif...
Here is the PDF of the new Vascular Plant Red List for Great Britain
britishandirishbotany.org/index.php/bi...
britishandirishbotany.org/index.php/bi...
View of A new vascular plant Red List for Great Britain
britishandirishbotany.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Here is the PDF of the new Vascular Plant Red List for Great Britain
britishandirishbotany.org/index.php/bi...
britishandirishbotany.org/index.php/bi...
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
New #GBRedList for vascular plants is published today by a team led by @bsbibotany.bsky.social with partners @naturalengland.bsky.social @ukceh.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social @natreswales.bsky.social @nhm-london.bsky.social @plantlifeintl.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social @thebotanics.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 9:21 AM
New #GBRedList for vascular plants is published today by a team led by @bsbibotany.bsky.social with partners @naturalengland.bsky.social @ukceh.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social @natreswales.bsky.social @nhm-london.bsky.social @plantlifeintl.bsky.social @rbgkew.bsky.social @thebotanics.bsky.social
Last week’s Plant of the Week from the Botanical Society of Scotland: Rustyback
botsoc.scot/2025/10/26/a...
botsoc.scot/2025/10/26/a...
Asplenium ceterach – October 27th 2025 – Rustyback
Known as a resurrection plant, rather rare in Scotland
botsoc.scot
November 4, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Last week’s Plant of the Week from the Botanical Society of Scotland: Rustyback
botsoc.scot/2025/10/26/a...
botsoc.scot/2025/10/26/a...
For #wildflowerhour it’s Common Chickweed, Stellaria media and a question from me.
Does anyone know the purpose/function/advantage of having hairs on alternating sides of the stem? I’m intrigued 🤔Thanks
Does anyone know the purpose/function/advantage of having hairs on alternating sides of the stem? I’m intrigued 🤔Thanks
November 2, 2025 at 8:19 PM
For #wildflowerhour it’s Common Chickweed, Stellaria media and a question from me.
Does anyone know the purpose/function/advantage of having hairs on alternating sides of the stem? I’m intrigued 🤔Thanks
Does anyone know the purpose/function/advantage of having hairs on alternating sides of the stem? I’m intrigued 🤔Thanks
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
🌾 What is a hay meadow?
Once common across the UK, these wildflower-rich grasslands support incredible biodiversity but have declined by 97% since the 1930s.
Learn how to restore and create them in our webinar on 29 Jan 2026:
🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1821584400...
@forestofbowlandnl.bsky.social
Once common across the UK, these wildflower-rich grasslands support incredible biodiversity but have declined by 97% since the 1930s.
Learn how to restore and create them in our webinar on 29 Jan 2026:
🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1821584400...
@forestofbowlandnl.bsky.social
November 1, 2025 at 10:57 AM
🌾 What is a hay meadow?
Once common across the UK, these wildflower-rich grasslands support incredible biodiversity but have declined by 97% since the 1930s.
Learn how to restore and create them in our webinar on 29 Jan 2026:
🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1821584400...
@forestofbowlandnl.bsky.social
Once common across the UK, these wildflower-rich grasslands support incredible biodiversity but have declined by 97% since the 1930s.
Learn how to restore and create them in our webinar on 29 Jan 2026:
🔗 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1821584400...
@forestofbowlandnl.bsky.social
Bramble associated species: Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Noctua janthe. Forewing up to 20mm. Flies July to early September. Wide range of larval food plants inc. Bramble, White Dead-nettle, Broad-leaved Dock, Lords-and-ladies, hawthorns, sallows and Blackthorn.
November 2, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Bramble associated species: Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Noctua janthe. Forewing up to 20mm. Flies July to early September. Wide range of larval food plants inc. Bramble, White Dead-nettle, Broad-leaved Dock, Lords-and-ladies, hawthorns, sallows and Blackthorn.
Bramble associated species: Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Noctua fimbriata. Up to 27mm long forewing. Flies July to September. Uses a wide range of larval food plants including Bramble, Blackthorn, Cleavers, Broad-leaved Dock, Common Nettle, Primrose and Hawthorn.
November 1, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Bramble associated species: Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, Noctua fimbriata. Up to 27mm long forewing. Flies July to September. Uses a wide range of larval food plants including Bramble, Blackthorn, Cleavers, Broad-leaved Dock, Common Nettle, Primrose and Hawthorn.
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
An Etymological Flora of Britain and Ireland, with Mark Duffell
The first Botanical Skills Webinar of the Winter 25/26 series, organised by the @bsbibotany.bsky.social - with funding from
@daera-ni.gov.uk - is on Tuesday 4 November at 7pm.
www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
The first Botanical Skills Webinar of the Winter 25/26 series, organised by the @bsbibotany.bsky.social - with funding from
@daera-ni.gov.uk - is on Tuesday 4 November at 7pm.
www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
October 29, 2025 at 9:53 AM
An Etymological Flora of Britain and Ireland, with Mark Duffell
The first Botanical Skills Webinar of the Winter 25/26 series, organised by the @bsbibotany.bsky.social - with funding from
@daera-ni.gov.uk - is on Tuesday 4 November at 7pm.
www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
The first Botanical Skills Webinar of the Winter 25/26 series, organised by the @bsbibotany.bsky.social - with funding from
@daera-ni.gov.uk - is on Tuesday 4 November at 7pm.
www.tickettailor.com/events/botan...
Reposted by Big Meadow Search
You can now join this from anywhere in the world! Head to
www.mont-hmg.co.uk/2025-symposi... to get your live streaming tickets.
Please share!
#habitatmanagement @severnrivers.bsky.social
www.mont-hmg.co.uk/2025-symposi... to get your live streaming tickets.
Please share!
#habitatmanagement @severnrivers.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 7:02 PM
You can now join this from anywhere in the world! Head to
www.mont-hmg.co.uk/2025-symposi... to get your live streaming tickets.
Please share!
#habitatmanagement @severnrivers.bsky.social
www.mont-hmg.co.uk/2025-symposi... to get your live streaming tickets.
Please share!
#habitatmanagement @severnrivers.bsky.social
For #wildflowerhour here in Wales it’s the Welsh Poppy, Papaver cambricum. Leaves pinnate, dull pale or glaucous green. Yellow flowers up to 7.5cm, solitary, in leaf axils.
October 26, 2025 at 8:12 PM
For #wildflowerhour here in Wales it’s the Welsh Poppy, Papaver cambricum. Leaves pinnate, dull pale or glaucous green. Yellow flowers up to 7.5cm, solitary, in leaf axils.
Bramble associated species: Lackey, Malacosoma neustria. Larval foodplants include Bramble, Blackthorn, Dog-rose, Hawthorn and Apple. Early instar larvae live together in white, silk tent. Final instar larvae disperse and feed singly
October 21, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Bramble associated species: Lackey, Malacosoma neustria. Larval foodplants include Bramble, Blackthorn, Dog-rose, Hawthorn and Apple. Early instar larvae live together in white, silk tent. Final instar larvae disperse and feed singly
For tonight’s #wildflowerhour it’s Himalayan Knotweed, Koenigia polystachya. Still in full flower in Llandovery. Much less common than Japanese Knotweed as the BSBI map shows
October 19, 2025 at 7:24 PM
For tonight’s #wildflowerhour it’s Himalayan Knotweed, Koenigia polystachya. Still in full flower in Llandovery. Much less common than Japanese Knotweed as the BSBI map shows
Bramble associated species: Bee Beetle, Trichius fasciatus. Adults approx. 1cm. Females lay eggs in dead wood. Larvae feed on dead wood for up to two years. Adults live up to 8 weeks and feed on pollen and nectar
October 19, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Bramble associated species: Bee Beetle, Trichius fasciatus. Adults approx. 1cm. Females lay eggs in dead wood. Larvae feed on dead wood for up to two years. Adults live up to 8 weeks and feed on pollen and nectar