Kew Gardens
@rbgkew.bsky.social
The home of Kew Science 👩🔬
🌱Collections
📚Archives
🍄Applied research
🤝Partnerships
🥼Training
👉More: linktr.ee/kewscience
🌱Collections
📚Archives
🍄Applied research
🤝Partnerships
🥼Training
👉More: linktr.ee/kewscience
We’re celebrating our Science Collections Digitisation Project volunteers – an incredible team whose work has powered this project forward over the last four years 🌿
February 10, 2026 at 10:24 AM
We’re celebrating our Science Collections Digitisation Project volunteers – an incredible team whose work has powered this project forward over the last four years 🌿
🌎 Applications are now open for the Emily Holmes Memorial Scholarships! 🎓
These scholarships provide funding towards plant and fungal postgraduate research projects 🧪
Apply now 👇
https://ow.ly/Xir050Y9r2A
These scholarships provide funding towards plant and fungal postgraduate research projects 🧪
Apply now 👇
https://ow.ly/Xir050Y9r2A
February 9, 2026 at 4:01 PM
🌎 Applications are now open for the Emily Holmes Memorial Scholarships! 🎓
These scholarships provide funding towards plant and fungal postgraduate research projects 🧪
Apply now 👇
https://ow.ly/Xir050Y9r2A
These scholarships provide funding towards plant and fungal postgraduate research projects 🧪
Apply now 👇
https://ow.ly/Xir050Y9r2A
Join governments and businesses at Chatham House Events' Climate and Energy Summit to explore strategies for a resilient future.
🗓️ 10-11 March 2026
📍Chatham House & online
Book here 👉 https://ow.ly/yFk350Y0NSV
🗓️ 10-11 March 2026
📍Chatham House & online
Book here 👉 https://ow.ly/yFk350Y0NSV
February 9, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Join governments and businesses at Chatham House Events' Climate and Energy Summit to explore strategies for a resilient future.
🗓️ 10-11 March 2026
📍Chatham House & online
Book here 👉 https://ow.ly/yFk350Y0NSV
🗓️ 10-11 March 2026
📍Chatham House & online
Book here 👉 https://ow.ly/yFk350Y0NSV
Here are some books we came across during a project in the mycology library last week. Our Library and Archives collections do not only cover plants, but also fungi and lichens. Some have very beautiful illustrations. Others (like the cordyceps) are rather gruesome... 🍄🍄🟫🍄🟫 #KewLA
February 5, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Here are some books we came across during a project in the mycology library last week. Our Library and Archives collections do not only cover plants, but also fungi and lichens. Some have very beautiful illustrations. Others (like the cordyceps) are rather gruesome... 🍄🍄🟫🍄🟫 #KewLA
Amongst the notes of 19th century horticulturalist & botanist John Fraser, we spotted this list of unwelcome visitors to a property in Kew! John's ‘uninvited guests’ were botanical rather than human, including species such as thornapple and gallant soldier. How many can you recognise? #KewLA
![A section of a notebook, rest on foam supports. The page is titled ‘7. Uninvited guests at 4 Willow Cottages, Kew, 1892-1915’. Beneath this are two columns, listing the names of plants found at the property: datura stramonium; Amaranthus retroflexus; Oxalis corniculata rubia; Oenothera lamarckiana; [?] roseum; Lychnis alba; Silene latifolia; Chenopodium rubrum; Senebiera didyma; Senebiera coronopus; Melilotus indicus (1917); Euphorbia virgata; Sisyrinchium angustifolium; Papaver somniferum; Galinsoga parviflora; Epilobium hirsutum; Ornithopus perpusillus; S.noctiflora; Althaca rosea](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6h2nzrepsboow5qu42xtebgn/bafkreict5jgdanqtbqtq532vgbhsefubcc3fq4k4uxsf723uum3k4dwefi@jpeg)
January 29, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Amongst the notes of 19th century horticulturalist & botanist John Fraser, we spotted this list of unwelcome visitors to a property in Kew! John's ‘uninvited guests’ were botanical rather than human, including species such as thornapple and gallant soldier. How many can you recognise? #KewLA
MPNS v15 is now live! 🌿
A free, authoritative reference for 41,878 medicinal plants - now with images added for the first time, more global sources, stronger data links and updated taxonomy.
Plant names are messy. Clear data matters for global health.
Explore 👉 https://ow.ly/Ktzt50Y0wv1
A free, authoritative reference for 41,878 medicinal plants - now with images added for the first time, more global sources, stronger data links and updated taxonomy.
Plant names are messy. Clear data matters for global health.
Explore 👉 https://ow.ly/Ktzt50Y0wv1
January 28, 2026 at 1:45 PM
MPNS v15 is now live! 🌿
A free, authoritative reference for 41,878 medicinal plants - now with images added for the first time, more global sources, stronger data links and updated taxonomy.
Plant names are messy. Clear data matters for global health.
Explore 👉 https://ow.ly/Ktzt50Y0wv1
A free, authoritative reference for 41,878 medicinal plants - now with images added for the first time, more global sources, stronger data links and updated taxonomy.
Plant names are messy. Clear data matters for global health.
Explore 👉 https://ow.ly/Ktzt50Y0wv1
A ‘zombie’ fungus. A ‘bloodstained’ orchid. A plant name straight out of Studio Ghibli 🧪
They’re all in the next issue of Kew Science - plus a few sharp takes on what’s changing in plant science right now 🌍
Want the full story? Get it in your inbox: https://ow.ly/vGPT50Y1Iz2
They’re all in the next issue of Kew Science - plus a few sharp takes on what’s changing in plant science right now 🌍
Want the full story? Get it in your inbox: https://ow.ly/vGPT50Y1Iz2
January 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM
A ‘zombie’ fungus. A ‘bloodstained’ orchid. A plant name straight out of Studio Ghibli 🧪
They’re all in the next issue of Kew Science - plus a few sharp takes on what’s changing in plant science right now 🌍
Want the full story? Get it in your inbox: https://ow.ly/vGPT50Y1Iz2
They’re all in the next issue of Kew Science - plus a few sharp takes on what’s changing in plant science right now 🌍
Want the full story? Get it in your inbox: https://ow.ly/vGPT50Y1Iz2
Traditional medicine is moving centre stage at WHO 🌍🌿 But safe, effective use depends on knowing which plants are being used.
MPNS v15 helps cut through confusing names - now covering ~42,000 medicinal plants, with images added for the first time.
Explore 👉 https://ow.ly/ui9N50Y0wNq
MPNS v15 helps cut through confusing names - now covering ~42,000 medicinal plants, with images added for the first time.
Explore 👉 https://ow.ly/ui9N50Y0wNq
January 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Traditional medicine is moving centre stage at WHO 🌍🌿 But safe, effective use depends on knowing which plants are being used.
MPNS v15 helps cut through confusing names - now covering ~42,000 medicinal plants, with images added for the first time.
Explore 👉 https://ow.ly/ui9N50Y0wNq
MPNS v15 helps cut through confusing names - now covering ~42,000 medicinal plants, with images added for the first time.
Explore 👉 https://ow.ly/ui9N50Y0wNq
This year, the taxonomists on the Fungarium Sequencing Project had a goal to review 10,000 specimens. They hit their target an impressive three months ahead of schedule, so to celebrate their hard work, here are some of the stories they’ve uncovered!
January 23, 2026 at 11:59 AM
This year, the taxonomists on the Fungarium Sequencing Project had a goal to review 10,000 specimens. They hit their target an impressive three months ahead of schedule, so to celebrate their hard work, here are some of the stories they’ve uncovered!
🗺️What a multi-lingual collection: Jacques Gay was a botanist and collector from Switzerland and our Archives hold over 35 volumes of his manuscripts. He wrote mainly in French, although Latin and even Greek found its way into his writing as well. Any polyglots able to translate? #KewLA
January 22, 2026 at 10:30 AM
🗺️What a multi-lingual collection: Jacques Gay was a botanist and collector from Switzerland and our Archives hold over 35 volumes of his manuscripts. He wrote mainly in French, although Latin and even Greek found its way into his writing as well. Any polyglots able to translate? #KewLA
Millions of records, centuries of discovery, all in one place 🌿
From specimens gathered on 18th-century voyages to Kew’s living collections of today, our data reveals the diversity of plant & fungal life — now accessible wherever you are 👇
https://ow.ly/OJLY50XZzOX
From specimens gathered on 18th-century voyages to Kew’s living collections of today, our data reveals the diversity of plant & fungal life — now accessible wherever you are 👇
https://ow.ly/OJLY50XZzOX
January 19, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Millions of records, centuries of discovery, all in one place 🌿
From specimens gathered on 18th-century voyages to Kew’s living collections of today, our data reveals the diversity of plant & fungal life — now accessible wherever you are 👇
https://ow.ly/OJLY50XZzOX
From specimens gathered on 18th-century voyages to Kew’s living collections of today, our data reveals the diversity of plant & fungal life — now accessible wherever you are 👇
https://ow.ly/OJLY50XZzOX
We're joining the Heritage Fund UK in celebrating #HeritageTreasures!
Kew's Marianne North Gallery was completed in 1882, with much needed restoration work done on the Gallery and its paintings in 2008. The restoration was made possible in part with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund 🎨🖌️
Kew's Marianne North Gallery was completed in 1882, with much needed restoration work done on the Gallery and its paintings in 2008. The restoration was made possible in part with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund 🎨🖌️
January 15, 2026 at 11:48 AM
We're joining the Heritage Fund UK in celebrating #HeritageTreasures!
Kew's Marianne North Gallery was completed in 1882, with much needed restoration work done on the Gallery and its paintings in 2008. The restoration was made possible in part with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund 🎨🖌️
Kew's Marianne North Gallery was completed in 1882, with much needed restoration work done on the Gallery and its paintings in 2008. The restoration was made possible in part with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund 🎨🖌️
It’s official, 125 plants and 65 fungi were named NEW to science in 2025!
Every year, our botanists & mycologists work with partners across the world to officially name & describe new species to science 🧪
See our list of the top ten! 👉 https://ow.ly/J7LY50XT51M
Every year, our botanists & mycologists work with partners across the world to officially name & describe new species to science 🧪
See our list of the top ten! 👉 https://ow.ly/J7LY50XT51M
January 8, 2026 at 10:30 AM
It’s official, 125 plants and 65 fungi were named NEW to science in 2025!
Every year, our botanists & mycologists work with partners across the world to officially name & describe new species to science 🧪
See our list of the top ten! 👉 https://ow.ly/J7LY50XT51M
Every year, our botanists & mycologists work with partners across the world to officially name & describe new species to science 🧪
See our list of the top ten! 👉 https://ow.ly/J7LY50XT51M
We've all mislaid our keys, but this one made it to the other side of the world! The Library and Archives were delighted when Adelaide Botanic Garden recently arranged for donation of a key that was previously owned by Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck - granddaughter of King George III #KewLA
January 7, 2026 at 5:45 PM
We've all mislaid our keys, but this one made it to the other side of the world! The Library and Archives were delighted when Adelaide Botanic Garden recently arranged for donation of a key that was previously owned by Princess Mary Adelaide, Duchess of Teck - granddaughter of King George III #KewLA
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our research & collections teams here at Kew! We're looking forward to sharing more stories and highlights with you in 2026 🎄
Beautiful illustration below from our LAA team #KewLA 👇
Beautiful illustration below from our LAA team #KewLA 👇
December 25, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our research & collections teams here at Kew! We're looking forward to sharing more stories and highlights with you in 2026 🎄
Beautiful illustration below from our LAA team #KewLA 👇
Beautiful illustration below from our LAA team #KewLA 👇
🌺If you're free on 15th January and would like to find out more about our Persian collections, why not sign up for one of our art workshops? More info in the booking links below 👇#KewLA
Morning slot: https://ow.ly/x0cl50XMcGy
Afternoon slot: https://ow.ly/IvwE50XMcGz
Morning slot: https://ow.ly/x0cl50XMcGy
Afternoon slot: https://ow.ly/IvwE50XMcGz
December 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
🌺If you're free on 15th January and would like to find out more about our Persian collections, why not sign up for one of our art workshops? More info in the booking links below 👇#KewLA
Morning slot: https://ow.ly/x0cl50XMcGy
Afternoon slot: https://ow.ly/IvwE50XMcGz
Morning slot: https://ow.ly/x0cl50XMcGy
Afternoon slot: https://ow.ly/IvwE50XMcGz
This #FungiFriday we are looking at the work of PhD Student Rose Gooda! Rose is studying the role of mycorrhizal fungi in the natural colonisation of forest in the UK, & recently conducted fieldwork in a temperate oak rainforest in Dartmoor where regeneration efforts are underway 👇
📸 © David Satori
📸 © David Satori
December 19, 2025 at 1:01 PM
This #FungiFriday we are looking at the work of PhD Student Rose Gooda! Rose is studying the role of mycorrhizal fungi in the natural colonisation of forest in the UK, & recently conducted fieldwork in a temperate oak rainforest in Dartmoor where regeneration efforts are underway 👇
📸 © David Satori
📸 © David Satori
Did you know that dried plant specimens, some collected hundreds of years ago, are helping us understand climate change today? 🌎
December 17, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Did you know that dried plant specimens, some collected hundreds of years ago, are helping us understand climate change today? 🌎
How do wild plants shape daily life in Guinea - & what’s at risk if they disappear? 🌿
A new open-access study has created the first nationwide checklist of wild useful plant species in Guinea - identifying 399 species used for medicine, materials, and food, & mapping the threats to their survival🧵👇
A new open-access study has created the first nationwide checklist of wild useful plant species in Guinea - identifying 399 species used for medicine, materials, and food, & mapping the threats to their survival🧵👇
December 15, 2025 at 5:39 PM
How do wild plants shape daily life in Guinea - & what’s at risk if they disappear? 🌿
A new open-access study has created the first nationwide checklist of wild useful plant species in Guinea - identifying 399 species used for medicine, materials, and food, & mapping the threats to their survival🧵👇
A new open-access study has created the first nationwide checklist of wild useful plant species in Guinea - identifying 399 species used for medicine, materials, and food, & mapping the threats to their survival🧵👇
POV: You're scrolling through the Mycology team's camera roll after a field trip 🍄
Several members of the team recently spent time in Dumfries & Galloway, on the border of Scotland, as part of a field trip - one of which alongside the British Mycological Society @britmycolsoc.org.uk 👇 [1/2]
Several members of the team recently spent time in Dumfries & Galloway, on the border of Scotland, as part of a field trip - one of which alongside the British Mycological Society @britmycolsoc.org.uk 👇 [1/2]
December 12, 2025 at 12:12 PM
POV: You're scrolling through the Mycology team's camera roll after a field trip 🍄
Several members of the team recently spent time in Dumfries & Galloway, on the border of Scotland, as part of a field trip - one of which alongside the British Mycological Society @britmycolsoc.org.uk 👇 [1/2]
Several members of the team recently spent time in Dumfries & Galloway, on the border of Scotland, as part of a field trip - one of which alongside the British Mycological Society @britmycolsoc.org.uk 👇 [1/2]
🎶A botanical musical? We recently stumbled across these in the 'Flora Cibaria' manuscript of botanist Lilly Wigg (1749-1828). The volumes consist of other people's writings and are full of surprises, with psalms and melodies strewn throughout, and little direct link to the botany on the page. #KewLA
December 11, 2025 at 11:30 AM
🎶A botanical musical? We recently stumbled across these in the 'Flora Cibaria' manuscript of botanist Lilly Wigg (1749-1828). The volumes consist of other people's writings and are full of surprises, with psalms and melodies strewn throughout, and little direct link to the botany on the page. #KewLA
Registration is NOW OPEN for our State of the World's Plants and Fungi Symposium, 29 June - 1 July 2026! 🌍 The theme will be 'Harnessing the benefits of specimen digitisation' & will follow the release of the next State of the World's Report 🌱🍄
Learn more & register here 👉 https://ow.ly/CuNg50XFOH1
Learn more & register here 👉 https://ow.ly/CuNg50XFOH1
December 9, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Registration is NOW OPEN for our State of the World's Plants and Fungi Symposium, 29 June - 1 July 2026! 🌍 The theme will be 'Harnessing the benefits of specimen digitisation' & will follow the release of the next State of the World's Report 🌱🍄
Learn more & register here 👉 https://ow.ly/CuNg50XFOH1
Learn more & register here 👉 https://ow.ly/CuNg50XFOH1
Interested in Persian collections? This Wednesday, we will be hosting a talk about the Persian materials within our archive, focusing on the unexpected cultural & social histories:
Learn more 👉 ow.ly/ENHb50XCLJ2
#KewLA
Learn more 👉 ow.ly/ENHb50XCLJ2
#KewLA
December 8, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Interested in Persian collections? This Wednesday, we will be hosting a talk about the Persian materials within our archive, focusing on the unexpected cultural & social histories:
Learn more 👉 ow.ly/ENHb50XCLJ2
#KewLA
Learn more 👉 ow.ly/ENHb50XCLJ2
#KewLA
Do we have archives relating to your history? Probably! Our archive reflects global histories & is open to all. Conservator Shabnam Balouch has helped uncover our Persian archive, and you can find out more at an upcoming talk & our free public workshops in January! #EYAYourArchives #KewLA
December 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Do we have archives relating to your history? Probably! Our archive reflects global histories & is open to all. Conservator Shabnam Balouch has helped uncover our Persian archive, and you can find out more at an upcoming talk & our free public workshops in January! #EYAYourArchives #KewLA
For #EYAAnniversaries, we delved into collections on our Millennium Seed Bank, which opened at Wakehurst 25 years ago. Among the reports & articles on the development of one of the world’s largest seed banks, we discovered publicity materials featuring none other than Sir David Attenborough! #KewLA
December 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM
For #EYAAnniversaries, we delved into collections on our Millennium Seed Bank, which opened at Wakehurst 25 years ago. Among the reports & articles on the development of one of the world’s largest seed banks, we discovered publicity materials featuring none other than Sir David Attenborough! #KewLA