Jo Parmenter
@jo-the-botanist.bsky.social
Norfolk-based #BSBI #IAmABotanist & consultant ecologist (semi-retired, in order to spend more time looking at plants). Hobbies/Interests: looking at plants. Oh, and I cook things, too (including plants).
Need help with a plant? Try #WildFlowerID
Need help with a plant? Try #WildFlowerID
Pinned
#Reedham in Norfolk (my village) is famous for its chain ferry but so few of the people who visit the ferry realise that stiff saltmarsh-grass Puccinellia rupestris grows profusely around what my SatNav proudly announces to be the ferry port! It seems to have had a 'good year' here.
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
About time for a mainstream party leader to call this out.
Trump and his cronies have the BBC in their sights. Leaders can’t stay silent while one of our great institutions is attacked.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
We must defend its independence, end political appointments, and remove Robbie Gibb from the Board.
November 10, 2025 at 6:34 PM
About time for a mainstream party leader to call this out.
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
I’m trying to educate the ecologically illiterate users on this app with this ‘nature facts for nature haters’ series. This episode tackles those that think they can live without nature and fly off to a new planet after this one dies. Hopefully this will save you time responding
November 10, 2025 at 4:46 PM
I’m trying to educate the ecologically illiterate users on this app with this ‘nature facts for nature haters’ series. This episode tackles those that think they can live without nature and fly off to a new planet after this one dies. Hopefully this will save you time responding
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
There's still plenty out there in November. Fresh Dense-flowered Fumitory Fumaria densiflora in a game cover crop at South Wonston, Hampshire. @bsbibotany.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 6:44 PM
There's still plenty out there in November. Fresh Dense-flowered Fumitory Fumaria densiflora in a game cover crop at South Wonston, Hampshire. @bsbibotany.bsky.social
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
only in the small print of this article do they make clear that the pensioners paying an extra £2,500 of tax would have to have
“earnings over £125,140”
I know many pensioners are asset rich but how many have income at that level?
“earnings over £125,140”
I know many pensioners are asset rich but how many have income at that level?
November 7, 2025 at 5:28 PM
only in the small print of this article do they make clear that the pensioners paying an extra £2,500 of tax would have to have
“earnings over £125,140”
I know many pensioners are asset rich but how many have income at that level?
“earnings over £125,140”
I know many pensioners are asset rich but how many have income at that level?
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
Medway flag removals cost the council £11,000
A Medway councillor says the outlay is
www.bbc.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
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 7:47 PM
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?...
Developing saltmarsh around pools at Dunwich looking stunning
November 6, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Developing saltmarsh around pools at Dunwich looking stunning
Always a bit special to see Limbarda crithmoides Golden Samphire in East Anglia - these between Dunwich and Walberswick.
November 6, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Always a bit special to see Limbarda crithmoides Golden Samphire in East Anglia - these between Dunwich and Walberswick.
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
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 Jo Parmenter
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 Jo Parmenter
Jersey Cudweed 1st recorded on Jersey in 1689, now moving northwards: has increased 50fold since 2000.
Why? several reasons, inc (probably) a warming climate.
Find out more about Jersey Cudweed (inc images, trends & a distribution map) on its #PlantAtlas2020 page: plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
Why? several reasons, inc (probably) a warming climate.
Find out more about Jersey Cudweed (inc images, trends & a distribution map) on its #PlantAtlas2020 page: plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
November 5, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Jersey Cudweed 1st recorded on Jersey in 1689, now moving northwards: has increased 50fold since 2000.
Why? several reasons, inc (probably) a warming climate.
Find out more about Jersey Cudweed (inc images, trends & a distribution map) on its #PlantAtlas2020 page: plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
Why? several reasons, inc (probably) a warming climate.
Find out more about Jersey Cudweed (inc images, trends & a distribution map) on its #PlantAtlas2020 page: plantatlas2020.org/atlas/2cd4p9...
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
Best time to join the growing ranks of #BSBImembers?
In October to get 15 months of benefits for price of 12: that's when 100s of people inc @markavery.bsky.social & @alunsalt.bsky.social joined!
2nd best time? In November, to enjoy 14 months of benefits: bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/10/bsbi...
In October to get 15 months of benefits for price of 12: that's when 100s of people inc @markavery.bsky.social & @alunsalt.bsky.social joined!
2nd best time? In November, to enjoy 14 months of benefits: bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/10/bsbi...
November 3, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Best time to join the growing ranks of #BSBImembers?
In October to get 15 months of benefits for price of 12: that's when 100s of people inc @markavery.bsky.social & @alunsalt.bsky.social joined!
2nd best time? In November, to enjoy 14 months of benefits: bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/10/bsbi...
In October to get 15 months of benefits for price of 12: that's when 100s of people inc @markavery.bsky.social & @alunsalt.bsky.social joined!
2nd best time? In November, to enjoy 14 months of benefits: bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/10/bsbi...
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
Wild Roses of Great Britain & Ireland (latest title in the series of #BSBIHandbooks for tricky plants) is due out this month! Final proofs now with authors Gareth & Roger.
Interview with them about the new Handbook here: bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/10/inte...
£16 for #BSBImembers until 24 Nov.
Interview with them about the new Handbook here: bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/10/inte...
£16 for #BSBImembers until 24 Nov.
November 4, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Wild Roses of Great Britain & Ireland (latest title in the series of #BSBIHandbooks for tricky plants) is due out this month! Final proofs now with authors Gareth & Roger.
Interview with them about the new Handbook here: bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/10/inte...
£16 for #BSBImembers until 24 Nov.
Interview with them about the new Handbook here: bsbipublicity.blogspot.com/2025/10/inte...
£16 for #BSBImembers until 24 Nov.
Corn spurred looking pretty at Benacre
November 4, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Corn spurred looking pretty at Benacre
Not been to Covehithe for a while. Eroding cliff top has been colonised by Jersey cudweed
November 4, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Not been to Covehithe for a while. Eroding cliff top has been colonised by Jersey cudweed
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
10:30-c.1500 3hrs of city botanising and “stopping the clock” for a few pubs on the route.
November 2, 2025 at 8:24 PM
10:30-c.1500 3hrs of city botanising and “stopping the clock” for a few pubs on the route.
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
For #wildflowerhour it’s Common Chickweed, Stellaria media and a question from me.
Does anyone know the purpose/function/advantage of having hairs on alternating sides of the stem? I’m intrigued 🤔Thanks
Does anyone know the purpose/function/advantage of having hairs on alternating sides of the stem? I’m intrigued 🤔Thanks
November 2, 2025 at 8:19 PM
For #wildflowerhour it’s Common Chickweed, Stellaria media and a question from me.
Does anyone know the purpose/function/advantage of having hairs on alternating sides of the stem? I’m intrigued 🤔Thanks
Does anyone know the purpose/function/advantage of having hairs on alternating sides of the stem? I’m intrigued 🤔Thanks
Sounds like a lovely send-off - and what an amazing gift! I love 'paper' books ... but you can take an e-book everywhere you go and it saves a lot of luggage-weight 😀
Simon Milne, RBGE Regius Keeper, receiving one of two pre-retirement gifts from Matt Harding, BSBI Scotland Officer, in acknowledgement of his support for BSBI and the wider botanical community in Scotland. This gift? A data stick containing e-copies of each of the BSBI handbooks!
November 2, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Sounds like a lovely send-off - and what an amazing gift! I love 'paper' books ... but you can take an e-book everywhere you go and it saves a lot of luggage-weight 😀
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
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 Jo Parmenter
Christmas bargain £13.59 (with free p&p) for 'Broadland. Shaping Marsh and Fen' by Tom Williamson & Alison Yardy (with ecology @jo-the-botanist.bsky.social and geology @timholtwilson.bsky.social). 400 pages of landscape history.
Go www.herts.ac.uk/uhpress/book... @broadsnationalpark.bsky.social
Go www.herts.ac.uk/uhpress/book... @broadsnationalpark.bsky.social
Broadland
www.herts.ac.uk
November 1, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Christmas bargain £13.59 (with free p&p) for 'Broadland. Shaping Marsh and Fen' by Tom Williamson & Alison Yardy (with ecology @jo-the-botanist.bsky.social and geology @timholtwilson.bsky.social). 400 pages of landscape history.
Go www.herts.ac.uk/uhpress/book... @broadsnationalpark.bsky.social
Go www.herts.ac.uk/uhpress/book... @broadsnationalpark.bsky.social
@sarahspeedwell.bsky.social made some fantastic membrillo/quince cheese this year (I ate the entire box within a fortnight)- anyone want to deal with the c300 medlars currently weighing down the tree in my herb patch? Medlar jelly goes well with pheasant/turkey etc & so a great Christmas present...
October 31, 2025 at 7:55 PM
@sarahspeedwell.bsky.social made some fantastic membrillo/quince cheese this year (I ate the entire box within a fortnight)- anyone want to deal with the c300 medlars currently weighing down the tree in my herb patch? Medlar jelly goes well with pheasant/turkey etc & so a great Christmas present...
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
a thread of halloween treats over the years!
first up: my favourite. red velvet cinnamon roll GUTS hehehe
few years ago i brought them to practice for snack but forgot utensils or plates so there were just 20 choir nerds between the ages of 18-60 rippin into em with their hands on a church floor
first up: my favourite. red velvet cinnamon roll GUTS hehehe
few years ago i brought them to practice for snack but forgot utensils or plates so there were just 20 choir nerds between the ages of 18-60 rippin into em with their hands on a church floor
October 31, 2025 at 5:05 PM
a thread of halloween treats over the years!
first up: my favourite. red velvet cinnamon roll GUTS hehehe
few years ago i brought them to practice for snack but forgot utensils or plates so there were just 20 choir nerds between the ages of 18-60 rippin into em with their hands on a church floor
first up: my favourite. red velvet cinnamon roll GUTS hehehe
few years ago i brought them to practice for snack but forgot utensils or plates so there were just 20 choir nerds between the ages of 18-60 rippin into em with their hands on a church floor
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
I think we did these... two years ago? I still have... so much sugar "glass" in my freezer lmao we made way too much and i have no use for it but i didn't wanna toss it.
October 31, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I think we did these... two years ago? I still have... so much sugar "glass" in my freezer lmao we made way too much and i have no use for it but i didn't wanna toss it.
Look amazing. I have to try making these for #NorfolkFloraGroup botanists ... but you're setting the bar way too high, here 😲 Are you able to share trade secrets? Think body may be a date? Are legs chocolate? What do you make the blood out of? (and is it suitable for vegetarians??)
THIS year we did cupcakes again. Matt mostly did these. I helped some but I had to go get work done in me office so I didn't see the final product until this morning. they're so good ahahaha there is blood icing inside the cockroach that oozes out when you bite into em
October 31, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Look amazing. I have to try making these for #NorfolkFloraGroup botanists ... but you're setting the bar way too high, here 😲 Are you able to share trade secrets? Think body may be a date? Are legs chocolate? What do you make the blood out of? (and is it suitable for vegetarians??)
Reposted by Jo Parmenter
Britain has saved £147.5bn due to wind power since 2010 – EnvironmentJournal
environmentjournal.online/energy/briti...
environmentjournal.online/energy/briti...
Britain has saved £147.5bn due to wind power since 2010
While factions of the country remain adamant that clean energy is costing taxpayers unnecessarily, new evidence shows the transition is actually reducing costs. Research conducted by University Colle...
environmentjournal.online
October 31, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Britain has saved £147.5bn due to wind power since 2010 – EnvironmentJournal
environmentjournal.online/energy/briti...
environmentjournal.online/energy/briti...