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.
Did anyone else have this poster on their bedroom wall growing up? "Chalk Grassland."
This was basically one of the gateway drugs into botany- not only the plants but importantly they communities they grew in.
I loved this poster & it still lives vividly in my imagination.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
This was basically one of the gateway drugs into botany- not only the plants but importantly they communities they grew in.
I loved this poster & it still lives vividly in my imagination.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
January 11, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Did anyone else have this poster on their bedroom wall growing up? "Chalk Grassland."
This was basically one of the gateway drugs into botany- not only the plants but importantly they communities they grew in.
I loved this poster & it still lives vividly in my imagination.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
This was basically one of the gateway drugs into botany- not only the plants but importantly they communities they grew in.
I loved this poster & it still lives vividly in my imagination.
@bsbibotany.bsky.social
Winter walk from Stoke Common to Burnham Beeches ❄️
Surface water was extensive at Stoke Common & continued in a similar form as we progressed. By Farnham Common, water was no longer held and beneath the Beeches was dry & stony. I follow a route I later discovered forms part of "Shakespeare’s Way".
Surface water was extensive at Stoke Common & continued in a similar form as we progressed. By Farnham Common, water was no longer held and beneath the Beeches was dry & stony. I follow a route I later discovered forms part of "Shakespeare’s Way".
January 10, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Winter walk from Stoke Common to Burnham Beeches ❄️
Surface water was extensive at Stoke Common & continued in a similar form as we progressed. By Farnham Common, water was no longer held and beneath the Beeches was dry & stony. I follow a route I later discovered forms part of "Shakespeare’s Way".
Surface water was extensive at Stoke Common & continued in a similar form as we progressed. By Farnham Common, water was no longer held and beneath the Beeches was dry & stony. I follow a route I later discovered forms part of "Shakespeare’s Way".
Gransden & Waresley Woods with Cambs bryology.
Following one of the coldest nights of the winter, the ground was frozen solid, and the light stark and monochromatically bright.
Plagiochila asplenioides looking very frosty.
Following one of the coldest nights of the winter, the ground was frozen solid, and the light stark and monochromatically bright.
Plagiochila asplenioides looking very frosty.
January 4, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Gransden & Waresley Woods with Cambs bryology.
Following one of the coldest nights of the winter, the ground was frozen solid, and the light stark and monochromatically bright.
Plagiochila asplenioides looking very frosty.
Following one of the coldest nights of the winter, the ground was frozen solid, and the light stark and monochromatically bright.
Plagiochila asplenioides looking very frosty.
Looking for the Drovers Tracks across the UK.
Before the railways transported livestock to market, animals and birds were herded along these routes. Ponds along the way watered the animals.
Do the plant signals still exist?
Does anyone have a map of the routes?
@amiesphilip.bsky.social
Before the railways transported livestock to market, animals and birds were herded along these routes. Ponds along the way watered the animals.
Do the plant signals still exist?
Does anyone have a map of the routes?
@amiesphilip.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Looking for the Drovers Tracks across the UK.
Before the railways transported livestock to market, animals and birds were herded along these routes. Ponds along the way watered the animals.
Do the plant signals still exist?
Does anyone have a map of the routes?
@amiesphilip.bsky.social
Before the railways transported livestock to market, animals and birds were herded along these routes. Ponds along the way watered the animals.
Do the plant signals still exist?
Does anyone have a map of the routes?
@amiesphilip.bsky.social
I set up a new folder for my field notes this evening. Starting my fifth year, I write about 100 each year.
Part of ongoing informal evidence-gathering to refine ecological understanding, field notes provide a way to record observations that complement formal surveys.
A way of thinking out loud!
Part of ongoing informal evidence-gathering to refine ecological understanding, field notes provide a way to record observations that complement formal surveys.
A way of thinking out loud!
January 1, 2026 at 9:20 PM
I set up a new folder for my field notes this evening. Starting my fifth year, I write about 100 each year.
Part of ongoing informal evidence-gathering to refine ecological understanding, field notes provide a way to record observations that complement formal surveys.
A way of thinking out loud!
Part of ongoing informal evidence-gathering to refine ecological understanding, field notes provide a way to record observations that complement formal surveys.
A way of thinking out loud!
Drawdown species at Wilstone Reservoir. OK, so we know about the Norfolk Bladder-moss (Physcomitrium eurystomum), Riccia cavernosa, Mudwort (Limosella aquatica)--- but what's the green filamentous stuff? It's the largest constituent of mud-pioneer species. It physically competes with the others.
December 11, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Drawdown species at Wilstone Reservoir. OK, so we know about the Norfolk Bladder-moss (Physcomitrium eurystomum), Riccia cavernosa, Mudwort (Limosella aquatica)--- but what's the green filamentous stuff? It's the largest constituent of mud-pioneer species. It physically competes with the others.
Out with the Cambs Bryology Hunt on Saturday, visiting Hayley Wood. My last visit to the woods was extremely wet, and I was musing about the hydrology here and its role in supporting all the special plant species.
Neckera complanata in a festive mood around an Ash stool.🤪
Neckera complanata in a festive mood around an Ash stool.🤪
December 8, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Out with the Cambs Bryology Hunt on Saturday, visiting Hayley Wood. My last visit to the woods was extremely wet, and I was musing about the hydrology here and its role in supporting all the special plant species.
Neckera complanata in a festive mood around an Ash stool.🤪
Neckera complanata in a festive mood around an Ash stool.🤪
Many thanks to the team at Cambridge University Herbarium for my visit on Thursday, particularly Juliet. Looking at the diaries of William Nicholson to find a description of his Portugal field trip with Hugh Neville Dixon for the 1st record of Nitella dixonii .
I found it earlier this year.
I found it earlier this year.
November 30, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Many thanks to the team at Cambridge University Herbarium for my visit on Thursday, particularly Juliet. Looking at the diaries of William Nicholson to find a description of his Portugal field trip with Hugh Neville Dixon for the 1st record of Nitella dixonii .
I found it earlier this year.
I found it earlier this year.
Just back from Madeira — cracking plants everywhere! 🌿 Intensive botanising = pure heaven. Great for ferns, fern allies, liverworts + mosses.
Highlights:
• Adiantum hispidulum — loved the pattern of the pseudoindusia on the leaf underside
• Asplenium obovatum subsp. billotii
• Vandenboschia speciosa
Highlights:
• Adiantum hispidulum — loved the pattern of the pseudoindusia on the leaf underside
• Asplenium obovatum subsp. billotii
• Vandenboschia speciosa
November 30, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Just back from Madeira — cracking plants everywhere! 🌿 Intensive botanising = pure heaven. Great for ferns, fern allies, liverworts + mosses.
Highlights:
• Adiantum hispidulum — loved the pattern of the pseudoindusia on the leaf underside
• Asplenium obovatum subsp. billotii
• Vandenboschia speciosa
Highlights:
• Adiantum hispidulum — loved the pattern of the pseudoindusia on the leaf underside
• Asplenium obovatum subsp. billotii
• Vandenboschia speciosa
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.
Reposted by Dr Astrid Biddle
The new Red List for Vascular Plants published this week by @bsbibotany.bsky.social highlights the serious decline in Britain’s freshwater plants.
November 7, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The new Red List for Vascular Plants published this week by @bsbibotany.bsky.social highlights the serious decline in Britain’s freshwater plants.
🌿 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 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
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!
OK, so the Cambs Fenland drains had a Water-plantain. The leaves had perished in the summer, & it may have been either A. plantago-aquatica or A. lanceolatum.
Luckily, it was fruiting.
A) A. plantago-aquatica= achenes had a single furrow on the back.
B) A. lanceolatum= two furrows.
Answer is A.
Luckily, it was fruiting.
A) A. plantago-aquatica= achenes had a single furrow on the back.
B) A. lanceolatum= two furrows.
Answer is A.
September 27, 2025 at 8:55 PM
OK, so the Cambs Fenland drains had a Water-plantain. The leaves had perished in the summer, & it may have been either A. plantago-aquatica or A. lanceolatum.
Luckily, it was fruiting.
A) A. plantago-aquatica= achenes had a single furrow on the back.
B) A. lanceolatum= two furrows.
Answer is A.
Luckily, it was fruiting.
A) A. plantago-aquatica= achenes had a single furrow on the back.
B) A. lanceolatum= two furrows.
Answer is A.
Sphagnum squarrosum in a swampy woodland pond in the New Forest on Monday. Such a pretty moss!
September 24, 2025 at 6:11 AM
Sphagnum squarrosum in a swampy woodland pond in the New Forest on Monday. Such a pretty moss!
I spotted an Asian Hornet in Portugal. It was surprisingly unafraid. I saw there were 344 records for this species in the Lisbon area.
September 21, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I spotted an Asian Hornet in Portugal. It was surprisingly unafraid. I saw there were 344 records for this species in the Lisbon area.
A fight going on in the rice fields of the Tagus Estuary near Lisbon.
Azolla filiculoides and Lemna gibba fighting it out for supremacy. The Azolla fronds arching upwards to cover the Lemna, and the Lemna becoming as gibbous as possible to prevent this.
They are seemingly resorting to fisticuffs.
Azolla filiculoides and Lemna gibba fighting it out for supremacy. The Azolla fronds arching upwards to cover the Lemna, and the Lemna becoming as gibbous as possible to prevent this.
They are seemingly resorting to fisticuffs.
September 21, 2025 at 11:18 AM
A fight going on in the rice fields of the Tagus Estuary near Lisbon.
Azolla filiculoides and Lemna gibba fighting it out for supremacy. The Azolla fronds arching upwards to cover the Lemna, and the Lemna becoming as gibbous as possible to prevent this.
They are seemingly resorting to fisticuffs.
Azolla filiculoides and Lemna gibba fighting it out for supremacy. The Azolla fronds arching upwards to cover the Lemna, and the Lemna becoming as gibbous as possible to prevent this.
They are seemingly resorting to fisticuffs.
A wonderful Mint workshop with @ambroisebaker.bsky.social in Yorkshire. Some really interesting mint species and hybrids were seen.
M. x smithiana (aquatica x spicata x arvense).
With M. x verticillata (arvense x aquatica) nearby and long-gone M. spicata possibly from a nearby garden.
M. x smithiana (aquatica x spicata x arvense).
With M. x verticillata (arvense x aquatica) nearby and long-gone M. spicata possibly from a nearby garden.
September 7, 2025 at 7:53 PM
A wonderful Mint workshop with @ambroisebaker.bsky.social in Yorkshire. Some really interesting mint species and hybrids were seen.
M. x smithiana (aquatica x spicata x arvense).
With M. x verticillata (arvense x aquatica) nearby and long-gone M. spicata possibly from a nearby garden.
M. x smithiana (aquatica x spicata x arvense).
With M. x verticillata (arvense x aquatica) nearby and long-gone M. spicata possibly from a nearby garden.
Collecting seeds from Walter’s type location for Common Spike-rush (subsp. palustris), nearly 75 years since he made that first voucher. It felt like a momentous occasion.
Wakehurst Millenium Seed Bank visit by Stephanie Miles & Sarah Willard.
Many thanks Rob Dixon RSPB for facilitating the visit.
Wakehurst Millenium Seed Bank visit by Stephanie Miles & Sarah Willard.
Many thanks Rob Dixon RSPB for facilitating the visit.
August 28, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Collecting seeds from Walter’s type location for Common Spike-rush (subsp. palustris), nearly 75 years since he made that first voucher. It felt like a momentous occasion.
Wakehurst Millenium Seed Bank visit by Stephanie Miles & Sarah Willard.
Many thanks Rob Dixon RSPB for facilitating the visit.
Wakehurst Millenium Seed Bank visit by Stephanie Miles & Sarah Willard.
Many thanks Rob Dixon RSPB for facilitating the visit.
I had the chance to visit Hatchet pond after work on Friday, choosing not to try driving to Herts until the M25 had calmed.
A pond that was well botanised, but also decided to take in the algae.
The inlet to the pond with a patchwork of fresh and decaying Zygnema species.
A pond that was well botanised, but also decided to take in the algae.
The inlet to the pond with a patchwork of fresh and decaying Zygnema species.
August 23, 2025 at 8:59 PM
I had the chance to visit Hatchet pond after work on Friday, choosing not to try driving to Herts until the M25 had calmed.
A pond that was well botanised, but also decided to take in the algae.
The inlet to the pond with a patchwork of fresh and decaying Zygnema species.
A pond that was well botanised, but also decided to take in the algae.
The inlet to the pond with a patchwork of fresh and decaying Zygnema species.
Ivy-leaved Crowfoot (Ranunculus hederaceus) found today on the track in the Lymington Reedbed. A bare mud opportunity and not fussy about nutrient levels.
Just look at the size of the Greater Plantain (Plantago major) I found a short distance away! Must be on steroids or else well-fed and watered.
Just look at the size of the Greater Plantain (Plantago major) I found a short distance away! Must be on steroids or else well-fed and watered.
August 20, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Ivy-leaved Crowfoot (Ranunculus hederaceus) found today on the track in the Lymington Reedbed. A bare mud opportunity and not fussy about nutrient levels.
Just look at the size of the Greater Plantain (Plantago major) I found a short distance away! Must be on steroids or else well-fed and watered.
Just look at the size of the Greater Plantain (Plantago major) I found a short distance away! Must be on steroids or else well-fed and watered.