Plant Facts
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A tree that can walk? How one 'walking tree' is said to be able to move itself to a sunnier spot
There's a walking tree? Stuart Blackman investigates a tree that is said to be able to move
What's the fastest growing plant? And how does it grow so fast?
Did you know the fastest growing plant in the world can grow nearly a metre a day?
Why are plants hairy?
We take a look at why plants are often covered in hairs
Do dock leaves really help nettle stings?
Ouch, a nettle sting! Time to look for a dock leaf, but will it actually work? In our expert nettle guide we explain why it stings, whether dock leaves help, and more
What's new?
Play Wordle the wildlife way with our A-Z of five letter wildlife words! How many more can you add?
Like millions of people around the world, we've caught the Wordle bug! And it got us thinking about wildlife-themed five-letter words ...
9 most poisonous mushrooms: deadly fungi you don't want to mess with
Mushrooms can be a great and tasty source of food, but foragers beware, some should be avoided at all cost!
What's the oldest tree in the world?
There is some debate surrounding the world's oldest tree. Here's why
Weirdest plants in the world: Discover some of the world's wackiest flora
Meet some of the weirdest and oddest plants on the planet
A tree that grows underground and a volcano-dwelling orchid. Discover 10 weird and wonderful plants and fungi new to science
Kew scientists pick 10 of their favourite plants and fungi named in 2023, with highlights including two new species of tree that grow underground, an orchid found on a volcano and three species of Antarctic fungi.
Flowers
Sown vs native road verges: which is best?
Local councils and institutions are transforming road verges into rivers of flowers – and saving money while they do it. But are these sown ‘meadows’ any good for pollinators and other wildlife?
What’s the difference between wild and cultivated daffodils?
Amy-Jane Beer takes a look at how cultivated daffodils differ to their wild cousins
Wild garlic guide: how to identify, when and how to forage, and recipe ideas
In the forager's calendar, spring is one of the best times – when wild garlic grows in shaded woodlands, filling the air with a light garlicky scent.
Flowers
Hydnora africana: what it is, when it flowers and how it survives underground without roots
We take a look at one of the world's strangest plants, the Hydnora africana
Wild roses and rosehips guide: how to identify, and how to make rosehip syrup
With its white-pink flowers in summer and bright red rosehips in autumn and winter, the dog rose is a familiar plant of our countryside.
What is nectar?
Stuart Blackman explains why nectar is more than just a sugary delight for insects
Fungi
6 of the weirdest fungi in the world, from dead man's fingers to 'zombie fungi'
Fungi can be very strange. Here's our round-up of some of the weirdest fungi on the planet.
What is a fairy ring and what causes mushrooms to form a circle?
Just how and why do fairy rings form? We take a look
Hair ice fungus: what it is and how this rare magical winter sight forms
Nick Baker takes a look at the weird phenomenon that produces hair ice, a rare winter wonder formed by a bit of alchemy magic
Fungi
Cordyceps and Ophicordyceps: the zombie fungi made famous by The Last Of Us
Cordyceps and Ophiocordyceps are the stuff of nightmares – if you’re an insect, or if you've played or watched The Last Of Us.
Lichens: what they are and how to identify the different types
Naturalist and presenter Brett Westwood shares his top tips for identifying lichen in this illustrated guide.
Discover the fascinating fungus Pilobolus crystallinus aka 'dung cannon'
Fungi aren’t generally known for their speed, yet one group is quicker off the mark than perhaps any other organism on the planet, the Pilobolus crystallinus
Plant ID
How to identify non-native summer flowers
If you get the urge to gather a guilt-free garland of colourful midsummer blooms, these garden escapees may fit the bill. Naturalist and presenter Brett Westwood shares 12 for you to spot this summer.
Elder guide: how to identify, when and how to forage for elderflowers and elderberries, and recipe ideas
Elder has made the slow journey from protective mother-spirit to often being deemed as a hedgerow and garden weed, fit only to be sawn down.
How to identify common 'weeds'
‘Weeds’ are familiar plants to many of us, sprouting up and thriving on pavements and disturbed ground. Learn to identify 12 common species in this illustrated guide.
Plant ID
British wildlife in March
As spring brings an abundance of new life, it’s time to talk about the birds and the bee-flies. Here is selection of the month's best wildlife spectacles from around the British countryside in March.
British wildlife in February
From fruiting fungus to winter birds, here is selection of the month's best wildlife spectacles from around the British countryside in February.
British wildlife in January
If your New Year’s resolution involves making more time to enjoy nature, what are you waiting for?
Trees
What's the tallest tree in the world?
Did you know the tallest tree species in the world can grow to more than 100 metres? Learn all about them
How to grow an oak tree from an acorn
Autumn is the perfect time to try growing an oak tree, here's how
Does ivy damage trees?
Is ivy good or bad for trees? Phil Gates explains
Trees
What's the world's most poisonous tree?
The world's most poisonous tree must rely on tides and currents to disperse its fruits.
Yew tree guide: how to identify, why it’s so poisonous, and why it’s found in churchyards
Old and gnarled, yew trees are a familiar tree in our landscape and are often associated with churchyards. Our expert guide explores this native tree.
Crown shyness: what it is and which trees it affects
Crown shyness is when one canopy of tree branches avoids touching another's canopy. Phil Gates explains more
Water Plants
Algae: What it is, why algae blooms can be toxic and how it differs to plants
All you need to know about algae, from what it is to why algae blooms are toxic
Bladderwort guide: how this carnivorous pond plant catches its unsuspecting prey - fast
The sinister secret of this free-floating pond plant lies beneath the water’s surface. Meet the bladderwort and its highly effective trap
How do plants breathe underwater?
We all know plants need air to survive, so how do aquatic and underwater plants cope?
Water Plants
Red seaweed: why is it red?
Matt Doggett explains why red seaweed is red - and why sometimes its green...
Eelgrass guide: what it is and why eelgrass meadows are crucial for some marine and bird life
Phil Gates explains all you need to know about eelgrass, an often overlooked sea plant that is important for conservation
British wildlife in November
Your essential guide to the wildlife events to enjoy as the foliage turns ochre, amber and gold.
Wildlife Garden
Best plants to grow for pollinators in your wildlife garden
Dave Goulson, author of The Garden Jungle, reveals some of the best plants you can grow to give garden pollinators and other species a helping hand.
Best garden plants for wildlife
Discover the best plants to attract more wildlife and colour to your garden with our expert guide.
How to build and care for your wildlife pond
Ponds are one of the most important features to include in a wildlife-friendly garden as a huge variety of species depend on them. Learn how to care for your wildlife pond with our expert guide, including best pond plants to grow each season and how to attract more visitors to your pond.
Wildlife Garden
Truth or fiction: gardens can save our wildlife
Can small isolated patches of habitat really offset the damage we are doing to our environment? Professor of biodiversity and conservation Kevin Gaston provides the answer.
How to make a butterfly-friendly garden
It's easy to attract a range of butterfly species to your garden, and our expert guide offers some top tips for doing so.
Why do flowers point up or down?
Botanist Phil Gates discusses the adaptations of flowering plants.