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Common is rare and rare is common

A study published in the journal Nature led by colleagues at University College London using data generated by hundreds of scientists from around the world including at RBGE…

Towards 3 million specimens: Digitising Amaryllidaceae & Alliaceae

The following blog was written by Iain Ratter a digitiser in the Herbarium. Since 2021 we have increased our digitisation capacity with the goal of getting to 1…

Redefining Aneura maxima and other Pellia-like Aneura

It seems that not only are the North American Aneura sharpii, the east Asian Aneura pellioides and the south-east Asian Aneura maxima all distinct species, but there are also two Pellia-like Aneura species in Europe.

Tidying up in Aneura

We have chosen a lectoype for Riccardia fuscovirens Lindb. (i.e., a type specimen that is chosen after a name has been published, but from the original specimens or illustrations that the author of the name would have been influenced by when they were first recognizing the taxon)

Day 12: Twelve drummers drumming – Aulacomnium androgynum, Drumsticks

Our specimen of Aulacomnium androgynum, a moss given the common name “Drumsticks”, was collected for the Darwin Tree of Life project by Dr David Bell on Hatfield Moors, southwest Yorkshire, on the 13th June 2023.

Day 11: Eleven pipers piping – Hylocomiadelphus triquetrus, Pipe-cleaner moss

Hylocomiadelphus triquetrus (Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus) has ‘pipe-cleaner moss’ among its many common names. It was collected for the Darwin Tree of Life project by Dr David Bell and Dr Liz Kungu, by the path to the chapel at Dawyk Botanic Garden, on the 1st October 2020.

Planting healthy

…biosecurity has become central to conservation in recent years and the benefits of investing time and resource into producing biosecure plants will pay dividends… Matt Elliot, RBGE plant…

The Indian botanical drawings reproduced in Ocean Flowers

In Spring 2004 a memorable exhibition curated by Carol Armstrong and Catherine de Zegher was shown at the Drawing Center in New York, and later that year at…

Garden Highlights 2023

It has certainly been another busy and productive year in the garden for everyone working at The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). A garden is never static, it…

Towards 3 million specimens: Ilex aquifolium: A Symbol of Christmas and Beyond

The following blog was written by Courtney Kemnitz a digitiser in the Herbarium. Since 2021 we have increased our digitisation capacity with the goal of getting to 1…

Day 10: Ten lords a-leaping – Arum maculatum, Lords and ladies

Arum maculatum – Lords and ladies – was collected for the Darwin Tree of Life project by Dr Maarten Christenhusz (Royal Botanic Garden Kew) on the 27th April 2021, on Petersham common, a conserved woodland in Greater London.

Day 9: Nine ladies dancing – Alchemilla alpina, the alpine Lady’s mantle

Alchemilla alpina, the alpine Lady’s mantle was collected for the Darwin Tree of Life project by Dr Markus Ruhsam from a rock ledge on Ben Lawers, on the 16th June 2021.

Day 8: Eight maids a-milking – Polygala serpyllifolia, heath milkwort

Polygala serpyllifolia – heath milkwort – was collected for the Darwin Tree of Life project by Dr Markus Ruhsam, down from the dam at Lochan na Lairige on Ben Lawers, on the 7th June 2022.

Day 7: Seven swans a-swimming – Mnium hornum, Swan’s neck thyme moss

Mnium hornum – Swan’s neck thyme moss – was collected for the Darwin Tree of Life project by Dr David Bell on the 18th August 2020, in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Day 6: Six geese a-laying– Ribes uva-crispa, Gooseberry

Gooseberry – Ribes uva-crispa – was collected for the Darwin Tree of Life project by Dr Markus Ruhsamn Roslin glen on the 30th April 2023.

Day 5: Five gold rings – Solidago virgaurea, Goldenrod

Solidago virgaurea – goldenrod – was collected for the Darwin Tree of Life project by Dr Markus Ruhsam in a woodland near the banks of Loch Lomond, on the 1st Sept 2021.

Towards 3 million specimens: Digitising Scrophulariaceae

The following blog was written by Becky Camfield a digitiser in the Herbarium. Since 2021 we have increased our digitisation capacity with the goal of getting to 1…

Day 4: Four calling birds- Scapania ornithopoides, the Birds-foot Earwort

Scapania ornithopoides, the ‘Birds-foot Earwort’ was collected for the Darwin Tree of Life project by Dr David Bell and Dr David Long at the Beinn Eighe Nature Reserve on the 22nd August 2021.

Day 3: Three French hens – Orchis mascula, Hen’s kames

Orchis mascula was collected for the Darwin Tree of Life project by Dr Markus Ruhsam on the 23rd May 2023, near Lochan na Lairige on Ben Lawers. One of the Scots names for this plant is Hen’s kames

Day 2: Two turtle doves – Geranium molle, the Dove’s foot cranebill

Geranium molle, the Dove’s foot cranebill, was collected for the Darwin Tree of Life project on the 9th of May 2022 by Dr Markus Ruhsam, on the verge of a road that passes over a golf course.