BSBI Scotland
@bsbiscotland.bsky.social
I am Matt Harding, the Scotland Officer at @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Studying, appreciating & conserving wild flowers across Scotland, and supporting the Scottish botanical community.
https://bsbi.org/scotland
Studying, appreciating & conserving wild flowers across Scotland, and supporting the Scottish botanical community.
https://bsbi.org/scotland
Pinned
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
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
Still plenty in bloom here in central Scotland for #wildflowerhour - Wild Radish in an arable field, Jersey Cudweed in paving and Sweet Alison making a bid for freedom from a nearby planter.
The Cudweed is a recent coloniser, and seems to be spreading from Grangemouth along the Forth & Clyde Canal
The Cudweed is a recent coloniser, and seems to be spreading from Grangemouth along the Forth & Clyde Canal
November 23, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Still plenty in bloom here in central Scotland for #wildflowerhour - Wild Radish in an arable field, Jersey Cudweed in paving and Sweet Alison making a bid for freedom from a nearby planter.
The Cudweed is a recent coloniser, and seems to be spreading from Grangemouth along the Forth & Clyde Canal
The Cudweed is a recent coloniser, and seems to be spreading from Grangemouth along the Forth & Clyde Canal
Reposted by BSBI Scotland
There are a lot of sources online that say Shetland is home to the endemic species Edmondston's Chickweed.
This is not the case - instead the island of Unst is the only global site for Cerastium nigrescens var. nigrescens, an endemic *variety* of the Artic Mouse-ear.
This is not the case - instead the island of Unst is the only global site for Cerastium nigrescens var. nigrescens, an endemic *variety* of the Artic Mouse-ear.
November 22, 2025 at 12:08 PM
There are a lot of sources online that say Shetland is home to the endemic species Edmondston's Chickweed.
This is not the case - instead the island of Unst is the only global site for Cerastium nigrescens var. nigrescens, an endemic *variety* of the Artic Mouse-ear.
This is not the case - instead the island of Unst is the only global site for Cerastium nigrescens var. nigrescens, an endemic *variety* of the Artic Mouse-ear.
Reposted by BSBI Scotland
Looking for a botanical webinar to brighten up a dark winter evening? We've got loads of them!
25th November - 10 years of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme
2nd December - Clubmosses of Ireland and Britain
9th December - Plant ID apps: how useful are they?
Book here: bsbi.org/take-part/pr...
25th November - 10 years of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme
2nd December - Clubmosses of Ireland and Britain
9th December - Plant ID apps: how useful are they?
Book here: bsbi.org/take-part/pr...
Webinars
bsbi.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Looking for a botanical webinar to brighten up a dark winter evening? We've got loads of them!
25th November - 10 years of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme
2nd December - Clubmosses of Ireland and Britain
9th December - Plant ID apps: how useful are they?
Book here: bsbi.org/take-part/pr...
25th November - 10 years of the National Plant Monitoring Scheme
2nd December - Clubmosses of Ireland and Britain
9th December - Plant ID apps: how useful are they?
Book here: bsbi.org/take-part/pr...
Reposted by BSBI Scotland
Checked out our shiny new website yet?
bsbi.org
New to @bsbibotany.bsky.social or #WildFlowerID?
We think you'll find it easier than ever to access resources, hear about events & learn more about wild plants in your area.
Seasoned botanist?
All your fave pages are still there + lots of new stuff!
bsbi.org
New to @bsbibotany.bsky.social or #WildFlowerID?
We think you'll find it easier than ever to access resources, hear about events & learn more about wild plants in your area.
Seasoned botanist?
All your fave pages are still there + lots of new stuff!
November 18, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Checked out our shiny new website yet?
bsbi.org
New to @bsbibotany.bsky.social or #WildFlowerID?
We think you'll find it easier than ever to access resources, hear about events & learn more about wild plants in your area.
Seasoned botanist?
All your fave pages are still there + lots of new stuff!
bsbi.org
New to @bsbibotany.bsky.social or #WildFlowerID?
We think you'll find it easier than ever to access resources, hear about events & learn more about wild plants in your area.
Seasoned botanist?
All your fave pages are still there + lots of new stuff!
Reposted by BSBI Scotland
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...
Some fantastic botanical webinars running throughout the winter, thanks to @bsbiireland.bsky.social and @daera-ni.gov.uk
Full line up at bsbi.org/botanical-sk...
Full line up at bsbi.org/botanical-sk...
November 9, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Some fantastic botanical webinars running throughout the winter, thanks to @bsbiireland.bsky.social and @daera-ni.gov.uk
Full line up at bsbi.org/botanical-sk...
Full line up at bsbi.org/botanical-sk...
Fab winning shots of Grass-of-Parnassus and an intrepid aquatic botanist venturing forth from Scotland, in the 2025 BSBI Photo Competition!
Oh go on then, the Reedmace from Cambridgeshire isn't bad either... 😉
Still waiting for my 'blurriest thumb' category to be approved by @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Oh go on then, the Reedmace from Cambridgeshire isn't bad either... 😉
Still waiting for my 'blurriest thumb' category to be approved by @bsbibotany.bsky.social
We're proud to announce the winners of the 2025 BSBI Photo Competition!
3 categories - intrepid, inquisitive & inclusive - reflecting our Society's values.
Winning pix 👇 by Ian Francis, Catriona Matheson & Edward Burden: congratulations!
Full details & links to all entries:
bsbi.org/photographic...
3 categories - intrepid, inquisitive & inclusive - reflecting our Society's values.
Winning pix 👇 by Ian Francis, Catriona Matheson & Edward Burden: congratulations!
Full details & links to all entries:
bsbi.org/photographic...
November 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Fab winning shots of Grass-of-Parnassus and an intrepid aquatic botanist venturing forth from Scotland, in the 2025 BSBI Photo Competition!
Oh go on then, the Reedmace from Cambridgeshire isn't bad either... 😉
Still waiting for my 'blurriest thumb' category to be approved by @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Oh go on then, the Reedmace from Cambridgeshire isn't bad either... 😉
Still waiting for my 'blurriest thumb' category to be approved by @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Brilliant to see the #GBRedList making a report on CBBC newsround, headlined by the tale of Fen Orchid recovery.
The future of our wonderful plants is in their hands - let's try not to drop the baton before we can hand it over!
www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/ar...
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social
The future of our wonderful plants is in their hands - let's try not to drop the baton before we can hand it over!
www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/ar...
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social
Rare orchid bought back from brink of extinction
The fen orchid is no longer listed as almost extinct in Great British Red List for vascular plants.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 6, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Brilliant to see the #GBRedList making a report on CBBC newsround, headlined by the tale of Fen Orchid recovery.
The future of our wonderful plants is in their hands - let's try not to drop the baton before we can hand it over!
www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/ar...
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social
The future of our wonderful plants is in their hands - let's try not to drop the baton before we can hand it over!
www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/ar...
@plantlifeuk.bsky.social
Doesn’t get much better than dangling on a rope counting Tufted Saxifrage rosettes 🥰🤪
Great talk by Gus to close the #ScotBotanistsConf, big thanks to @plantlifeuk.bsky.social for organising the survey, and watch out for Gus’s final report coming soon…
Great talk by Gus to close the #ScotBotanistsConf, big thanks to @plantlifeuk.bsky.social for organising the survey, and watch out for Gus’s final report coming soon…
A fantastic presentation on some hardcore survey work in the Scottish uplands here. Great to hear from Gus Routledge, who is unfortunately not on Bluesky ☹️, but evidently still doing inspirational field botany alongside @bsbiscotland.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social youtu.be/RZFv8lSfmj8?...
Tough tufts to tally: Scottish Tufted Saxifrage Survey 2025
YouTube video by Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland
youtu.be
November 6, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Doesn’t get much better than dangling on a rope counting Tufted Saxifrage rosettes 🥰🤪
Great talk by Gus to close the #ScotBotanistsConf, big thanks to @plantlifeuk.bsky.social for organising the survey, and watch out for Gus’s final report coming soon…
Great talk by Gus to close the #ScotBotanistsConf, big thanks to @plantlifeuk.bsky.social for organising the survey, and watch out for Gus’s final report coming soon…
Jersey Cudweed is a recent coloniser in Stirlingshire in central Scotland, marking its movement northwards. Found this year at the Kelpies by Falkirk, as well as in nearby Grangemouth
November 6, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Jersey Cudweed is a recent coloniser in Stirlingshire in central Scotland, marking its movement northwards. Found this year at the Kelpies by Falkirk, as well as in nearby Grangemouth
As usual, @markavery.bsky.social has it right. Things are not getting better for our wild plants
The 20-year efforts of #BSBImembers & the botanical community gave us #PlantAtlas2020, which provides the evidence base for much of this #GBRedList assessment.
Your #botany records make a difference!
The 20-year efforts of #BSBImembers & the botanical community gave us #PlantAtlas2020, which provides the evidence base for much of this #GBRedList assessment.
Your #botany records make a difference!
New GB Red List for vascular plants from @bsbibotany.bsky.social @ukceh.bsky.social is comprehensive revision of 2005 list.
Plants are good indicators of the pressures on all our wildlife - things are not getting better.
More details: markavery.info/2025/11/05/b...
Plants are good indicators of the pressures on all our wildlife - things are not getting better.
More details: markavery.info/2025/11/05/b...
November 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
As usual, @markavery.bsky.social has it right. Things are not getting better for our wild plants
The 20-year efforts of #BSBImembers & the botanical community gave us #PlantAtlas2020, which provides the evidence base for much of this #GBRedList assessment.
Your #botany records make a difference!
The 20-year efforts of #BSBImembers & the botanical community gave us #PlantAtlas2020, which provides the evidence base for much of this #GBRedList assessment.
Your #botany records make a difference!
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...
Reposted by BSBI Scotland
Huge thanks to @adamvaughan.bsky.social for his excellent article in today's @thetimes.com about #GBRedList.
Wild plants inc Common Restharrow, Common Rock-rose & Common Milkwort all now classed as Vulnerable - so no longer common!
Download the new Red List:
britishandirishbotany.org/index.php/bi...
Wild plants inc Common Restharrow, Common Rock-rose & Common Milkwort all now classed as Vulnerable - so no longer common!
Download the new Red List:
britishandirishbotany.org/index.php/bi...
November 5, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Huge thanks to @adamvaughan.bsky.social for his excellent article in today's @thetimes.com about #GBRedList.
Wild plants inc Common Restharrow, Common Rock-rose & Common Milkwort all now classed as Vulnerable - so no longer common!
Download the new Red List:
britishandirishbotany.org/index.php/bi...
Wild plants inc Common Restharrow, Common Rock-rose & Common Milkwort all now classed as Vulnerable - so no longer common!
Download the new Red List:
britishandirishbotany.org/index.php/bi...
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 BSBI Scotland
A lovely gift for Simon Milne, the outgoing Regius Keeper @thebotanics.bsky.social, to thank him for his years of support for botany in Scotland.
The full eBook collection of 24 #BSBIHandbooks is a great resource, available to purchase for £160: bsbi.org/publications...
@bsbiscotland.bsky.social
The full eBook collection of 24 #BSBIHandbooks is a great resource, available to purchase for £160: bsbi.org/publications...
@bsbiscotland.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 3:53 PM
A lovely gift for Simon Milne, the outgoing Regius Keeper @thebotanics.bsky.social, to thank him for his years of support for botany in Scotland.
The full eBook collection of 24 #BSBIHandbooks is a great resource, available to purchase for £160: bsbi.org/publications...
@bsbiscotland.bsky.social
The full eBook collection of 24 #BSBIHandbooks is a great resource, available to purchase for £160: bsbi.org/publications...
@bsbiscotland.bsky.social
Reposted by BSBI Scotland
A few #Speyside finds for this week’s #Wildflowerhour from a hike up Ben Rinnes near Aberlour.
Bonus Ptarmigans too!
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social @bsbiscotland.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social #Moray #VC95 @rspbscotland.bsky.social
Bonus Ptarmigans too!
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social @bsbiscotland.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social #Moray #VC95 @rspbscotland.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 11:58 PM
A few #Speyside finds for this week’s #Wildflowerhour from a hike up Ben Rinnes near Aberlour.
Bonus Ptarmigans too!
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social @bsbiscotland.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social #Moray #VC95 @rspbscotland.bsky.social
Bonus Ptarmigans too!
@wildflowerhour.bsky.social @bsbiscotland.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social #Moray #VC95 @rspbscotland.bsky.social
The Scottish Botanists' Conference is here!
230 botanists are about to descend on @thebotanics.bsky.social to celebrate Scotland's incredible flora, and all I can think about is whether I've ordered enough biscuits...
@sarahwatts.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social
230 botanists are about to descend on @thebotanics.bsky.social to celebrate Scotland's incredible flora, and all I can think about is whether I've ordered enough biscuits...
@sarahwatts.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social
October 31, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The Scottish Botanists' Conference is here!
230 botanists are about to descend on @thebotanics.bsky.social to celebrate Scotland's incredible flora, and all I can think about is whether I've ordered enough biscuits...
@sarahwatts.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social
230 botanists are about to descend on @thebotanics.bsky.social to celebrate Scotland's incredible flora, and all I can think about is whether I've ordered enough biscuits...
@sarahwatts.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social
Reposted by BSBI Scotland
A good day for tiny plants at Sands of Forvie NNR today: after admiring the small adder's-tongues we went back to count them (22 plants), then noticed allseed (10 plants) which we'd missed a few minutes earlier. First allseed I've seen there after over 30 years of trying! My pinkie for scale.
October 12, 2025 at 9:43 PM
A good day for tiny plants at Sands of Forvie NNR today: after admiring the small adder's-tongues we went back to count them (22 plants), then noticed allseed (10 plants) which we'd missed a few minutes earlier. First allseed I've seen there after over 30 years of trying! My pinkie for scale.
An unusual one for #wildflowerhour this week - Ribwort Plantain with a new basal rosette developing from within the seedhead! Ok not a flower, but it’s all reproduction isn’t it?! 😁
October 12, 2025 at 8:04 PM
An unusual one for #wildflowerhour this week - Ribwort Plantain with a new basal rosette developing from within the seedhead! Ok not a flower, but it’s all reproduction isn’t it?! 😁
Reposted by BSBI Scotland
Here's a nice juxtaposition from below Cairngorm earlier this week: bilberry (left) and bog bilberry (right), demonstrating differences in shape and colour of both leaves and stems.
October 3, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Here's a nice juxtaposition from below Cairngorm earlier this week: bilberry (left) and bog bilberry (right), demonstrating differences in shape and colour of both leaves and stems.
Book your #ScotBotanistsConf place now! Its going to be a fantastic day @thebotanics.bsky.social, with brilliant talks on restoring montane woodland, Tufted Saxifrage, urban flora and much much more!
@sarahwatts.bsky.social @plantlifeuk.bsky.social @botsocscot.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social
@sarahwatts.bsky.social @plantlifeuk.bsky.social @botsocscot.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social
October 3, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Book your #ScotBotanistsConf place now! Its going to be a fantastic day @thebotanics.bsky.social, with brilliant talks on restoring montane woodland, Tufted Saxifrage, urban flora and much much more!
@sarahwatts.bsky.social @plantlifeuk.bsky.social @botsocscot.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social
@sarahwatts.bsky.social @plantlifeuk.bsky.social @botsocscot.bsky.social @naturescot.bsky.social
At £2.60 a month, this offer means that joining BSBI is cheaper than a monthly cup of coffee at <insertvendorhere>. Go on. You know you want to! 😜
Our annual membership special offer opens today!
Join us this month & you'll enjoy 15 months of membership benefits for the price of 12.
Those benefits are so numerous & fabulous you'll have to head over here to see them all:
bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/10/bsbi...
Then join us! bsbi.org/join-us
Join us this month & you'll enjoy 15 months of membership benefits for the price of 12.
Those benefits are so numerous & fabulous you'll have to head over here to see them all:
bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/10/bsbi...
Then join us! bsbi.org/join-us
October 1, 2025 at 7:52 PM
At £2.60 a month, this offer means that joining BSBI is cheaper than a monthly cup of coffee at <insertvendorhere>. Go on. You know you want to! 😜
Reposted by BSBI Scotland
Culbin Forest 24/09/2025, is this Serrated Wintergreen (Orthilia secunda), gone over? Can this be confirmed? @bsbiscotland.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social @forestresearchuk.bsky.social @edinburghnats.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Culbin Forest 24/09/2025, is this Serrated Wintergreen (Orthilia secunda), gone over? Can this be confirmed? @bsbiscotland.bsky.social @bsbibotany.bsky.social @forestresearchuk.bsky.social @edinburghnats.bsky.social
So excited for this new #BSBIHandbook on Wild Roses! Order now for your #BSBImembers discount - if you're a student you save more than half the cost of a year's membership fee - QED.
Maybe don't buy it if your name is Eliza Day though... #wherethewildrosesgrow #kylie #badseeds
Maybe don't buy it if your name is Eliza Day though... #wherethewildrosesgrow #kylie #badseeds
Coming soon: 'Wild Roses of Great Britain and Ireland'.
This latest title, no.26 in the series of #BSBIHandbooks for tricky plant groups, has just gone to the printers!
Available for #BSBImembers to pre-order now at the discount price of £16 (vs RRP £25).
Sample pages here:
bsbi.org/bsbi-handboo...
This latest title, no.26 in the series of #BSBIHandbooks for tricky plant groups, has just gone to the printers!
Available for #BSBImembers to pre-order now at the discount price of £16 (vs RRP £25).
Sample pages here:
bsbi.org/bsbi-handboo...
September 28, 2025 at 8:34 PM
So excited for this new #BSBIHandbook on Wild Roses! Order now for your #BSBImembers discount - if you're a student you save more than half the cost of a year's membership fee - QED.
Maybe don't buy it if your name is Eliza Day though... #wherethewildrosesgrow #kylie #badseeds
Maybe don't buy it if your name is Eliza Day though... #wherethewildrosesgrow #kylie #badseeds
This Perennial Sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis) was flowering this week for #wildflowerhour, but far more exciting were the weird purplish bumps on its leaves. These are the galls of a tiny midge species called Cystiphora sonchi - according to NBN just the 5th time it has been recorded in Scotland 🥰
September 28, 2025 at 8:06 PM
This Perennial Sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis) was flowering this week for #wildflowerhour, but far more exciting were the weird purplish bumps on its leaves. These are the galls of a tiny midge species called Cystiphora sonchi - according to NBN just the 5th time it has been recorded in Scotland 🥰