Alex Prendergast
@bramblebotanist.bsky.social
Botany Senior Specialist at Natural England, BSBI Limonium/Rubus/Galium/Hypericum referee. Elm/stonewort/dandelion enthusiast, Plant & butterfly reintros, botany tours, FISC 6, Punk, Norfolk #Iamabotanist Views own 🇪🇺
The second Rubus hybrid seen with #NorfolkFloraGroup today was Rubus ulmifolius x vestitus, a common hybrid worth knowing. Intermediate with parents: hairy purple primocanes, rounded terminal lobes with white undersides. Inflorescences typically not developing fruit.
November 22, 2025 at 6:57 PM
The second Rubus hybrid seen with #NorfolkFloraGroup today was Rubus ulmifolius x vestitus, a common hybrid worth knowing. Intermediate with parents: hairy purple primocanes, rounded terminal lobes with white undersides. Inflorescences typically not developing fruit.
Despite the season it was a good day for brambles with #NorfolkFloraGroup This is one of the Rubus x loganobaccus group hybrids which include Loganberry - raspberry x one of the fruticosus agg, in this case the second parent is probably Rubus hindii. They have raspberry-like leaves & bramble stems
November 22, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Despite the season it was a good day for brambles with #NorfolkFloraGroup This is one of the Rubus x loganobaccus group hybrids which include Loganberry - raspberry x one of the fruticosus agg, in this case the second parent is probably Rubus hindii. They have raspberry-like leaves & bramble stems
Reposted by Alex Prendergast
Cladonia ciliata var. tenuis shows P+ red and looks very cool in the process. P is Para-phenylenediamine, one of the three main chemical reagents used to spot-test lichens. The other two are K (Potassium hydroxide 10%) and C (hypochlorite or household bleach).
November 17, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Cladonia ciliata var. tenuis shows P+ red and looks very cool in the process. P is Para-phenylenediamine, one of the three main chemical reagents used to spot-test lichens. The other two are K (Potassium hydroxide 10%) and C (hypochlorite or household bleach).
Reposted by Alex Prendergast
One-flowered glasswort (Salicornia disarticulata) still looking good on a North Norfolk saltmarsh. Distinctive little thing once known. The single flowers seem to typically turn reddish. Most other glassworts had died off for the winter already.
November 17, 2025 at 8:58 PM
One-flowered glasswort (Salicornia disarticulata) still looking good on a North Norfolk saltmarsh. Distinctive little thing once known. The single flowers seem to typically turn reddish. Most other glassworts had died off for the winter already.
My very talented friend Úrsula is producing another wonderful book of her amazing botanical illustrations, this time focusing on that scarcest of colours in nature.. check out Blue Flower. The Kickstarter is almost there!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ink...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ink...
Blaue Blume - A limited edition book by Inky Leaves
A collection of floral paintings that allows you look closer at the mysticism of nature.
www.kickstarter.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:01 PM
My very talented friend Úrsula is producing another wonderful book of her amazing botanical illustrations, this time focusing on that scarcest of colours in nature.. check out Blue Flower. The Kickstarter is almost there!
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ink...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/ink...
The autumnal colours of Rubus vestitus..
November 15, 2025 at 8:24 PM
The autumnal colours of Rubus vestitus..
Another obscure road verge, another Mediterranean fruit tree..
Hot on the heels of last week’s self-set Olive Olea europea today’s #NorfolkFloraGroup star find was a self-set Peach Prunus persica!
Hot on the heels of last week’s self-set Olive Olea europea today’s #NorfolkFloraGroup star find was a self-set Peach Prunus persica!
November 15, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Another obscure road verge, another Mediterranean fruit tree..
Hot on the heels of last week’s self-set Olive Olea europea today’s #NorfolkFloraGroup star find was a self-set Peach Prunus persica!
Hot on the heels of last week’s self-set Olive Olea europea today’s #NorfolkFloraGroup star find was a self-set Peach Prunus persica!
A fantastic haul of beautiful Waxcaps and associated grassland fungi at Felbrigg Hall in north #Norfolk with @waxcapscooch.bsky.social today. One of the top sites in the county.
November 13, 2025 at 6:01 PM
A fantastic haul of beautiful Waxcaps and associated grassland fungi at Felbrigg Hall in north #Norfolk with @waxcapscooch.bsky.social today. One of the top sites in the county.
An attractively ruffled semi-double Feverfew Tanacetum pathenium on the allotment #Wildflowerhour
November 9, 2025 at 5:15 PM
An attractively ruffled semi-double Feverfew Tanacetum pathenium on the allotment #Wildflowerhour
Reposted by Alex Prendergast
Hello, is anybody out there?
Mentha x verticillata (Whorled Mint) candidate from Cinderford Brook, Forest of Dean. Robust, inflorescence terminated in leaves, stamen included within corolla. @wildflowerhour.bsky.social, have the botanical community moved to bluesky? Must try to re-find folk...
Mentha x verticillata (Whorled Mint) candidate from Cinderford Brook, Forest of Dean. Robust, inflorescence terminated in leaves, stamen included within corolla. @wildflowerhour.bsky.social, have the botanical community moved to bluesky? Must try to re-find folk...
August 24, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Hello, is anybody out there?
Mentha x verticillata (Whorled Mint) candidate from Cinderford Brook, Forest of Dean. Robust, inflorescence terminated in leaves, stamen included within corolla. @wildflowerhour.bsky.social, have the botanical community moved to bluesky? Must try to re-find folk...
Mentha x verticillata (Whorled Mint) candidate from Cinderford Brook, Forest of Dean. Robust, inflorescence terminated in leaves, stamen included within corolla. @wildflowerhour.bsky.social, have the botanical community moved to bluesky? Must try to re-find folk...
Reposted by Alex Prendergast
A new Red List for Vascular Plants in Great Britain has just been published - the first update for twenty years 🌿
So what is a Red List, and why does it matter? What does this new report tells us about the state of Britain’s flora?
So what is a Red List, and why does it matter? What does this new report tells us about the state of Britain’s flora?
November 7, 2025 at 12:43 PM
A new Red List for Vascular Plants in Great Britain has just been published - the first update for twenty years 🌿
So what is a Red List, and why does it matter? What does this new report tells us about the state of Britain’s flora?
So what is a Red List, and why does it matter? What does this new report tells us about the state of Britain’s flora?
Reposted by Alex Prendergast
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
Pepperpot Earthstar Myriostoma coliforme at one of its very few GB locations. Pleasingly the scientific name means ‘like a colander with many holes’. Note also the columns that hold the sac aloft.
November 6, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Pepperpot Earthstar Myriostoma coliforme at one of its very few GB locations. Pleasingly the scientific name means ‘like a colander with many holes’. Note also the columns that hold the sac aloft.
Reposted by Alex Prendergast
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 Alex Prendergast
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!
Reposted by Alex Prendergast
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 Alex Prendergast
New #GBRedList for vascular plants evaluated 1,720 species.
26% (up from 23% in 2005) assessed as threatened.
Common Restharrow, Marsh-marigold & Harebell: all Vulnerable.
Alpine Gentian: Endangered.
Work was led by Pete Stroh from @bsbibotany.bsky.social & funded by @naturalengland.bsky.social
26% (up from 23% in 2005) assessed as threatened.
Common Restharrow, Marsh-marigold & Harebell: all Vulnerable.
Alpine Gentian: Endangered.
Work was led by Pete Stroh from @bsbibotany.bsky.social & funded by @naturalengland.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 9:25 AM
New #GBRedList for vascular plants evaluated 1,720 species.
26% (up from 23% in 2005) assessed as threatened.
Common Restharrow, Marsh-marigold & Harebell: all Vulnerable.
Alpine Gentian: Endangered.
Work was led by Pete Stroh from @bsbibotany.bsky.social & funded by @naturalengland.bsky.social
26% (up from 23% in 2005) assessed as threatened.
Common Restharrow, Marsh-marigold & Harebell: all Vulnerable.
Alpine Gentian: Endangered.
Work was led by Pete Stroh from @bsbibotany.bsky.social & funded by @naturalengland.bsky.social
Well done all involved in years of data gathering, analysis, coordination & funding for this new GB red list. Dedicated work by top botanists. And thanks to the brilliant conservation orgs & land managers stemming the haemorrhaging of biodiversity too. Many declines but also some glimmers of hope
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 12:53 PM
Well done all involved in years of data gathering, analysis, coordination & funding for this new GB red list. Dedicated work by top botanists. And thanks to the brilliant conservation orgs & land managers stemming the haemorrhaging of biodiversity too. Many declines but also some glimmers of hope
Reposted by Alex Prendergast
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
This week’s botany surprise was a self set Olive Olea europaea on a Norfolk verge. Presumably from seed of a cultivated tree from a nearby garden, lodged in a stump by a small mammal. C. 10 years old. Seems to be the first wild record @bsbibotany.bsky.social ? #wildflowerhour #NorfolkFloraGroup
November 2, 2025 at 3:39 PM
This week’s botany surprise was a self set Olive Olea europaea on a Norfolk verge. Presumably from seed of a cultivated tree from a nearby garden, lodged in a stump by a small mammal. C. 10 years old. Seems to be the first wild record @bsbibotany.bsky.social ? #wildflowerhour #NorfolkFloraGroup
Reposted by Alex Prendergast
My pumpkins bring all the childs to the yard.. 🎶🎶🎃🎃
October 31, 2025 at 6:05 PM
My pumpkins bring all the childs to the yard.. 🎶🎶🎃🎃
As it’s the season for ghostly apparitions here’s a few Epipogium spotted in France earlier this year.. oooooo 👻
October 31, 2025 at 12:47 PM
As it’s the season for ghostly apparitions here’s a few Epipogium spotted in France earlier this year.. oooooo 👻
Digging in the last flowers on the allotment arable plant plot today. Necessary for autumn germination of winter annuals. A few new species join the party this year: Red Hemp-nettle, Field Gromwell, Violet Horned Poppy, Annual Knawel & Narrow-leaved Cudweed
October 30, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Digging in the last flowers on the allotment arable plant plot today. Necessary for autumn germination of winter annuals. A few new species join the party this year: Red Hemp-nettle, Field Gromwell, Violet Horned Poppy, Annual Knawel & Narrow-leaved Cudweed
More gorgeous late summer colour from the Isles of Scilly. An Aizoaceae (anyone have a good resource for ID’ing them?) in walls, Tibouchina & butterflies, feral Osteospermum ‘Tresco Purple’ and Aeoniums everywhere.. I’ll be back as soon as possible #wildflowerhour
October 26, 2025 at 7:23 PM
More gorgeous late summer colour from the Isles of Scilly. An Aizoaceae (anyone have a good resource for ID’ing them?) in walls, Tibouchina & butterflies, feral Osteospermum ‘Tresco Purple’ and Aeoniums everywhere.. I’ll be back as soon as possible #wildflowerhour