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    beech twig

    Rosaceae Fruit

    Rosaceae Fruit Whilst recently researching the wildflower families, I fell down a fruit-shaped rabbit hole.  And it is because of the amount of variety shown in the fruit of the Rosaceae, or rose family. Japanese rose Rosa rugosa For more on what makes a plant a member of the Rosaceae, check out my recent blog […] Read more
    brassica

    Wildflower families: Brassicaceae, the Cabbage family

    Wildflower families: Brassicaceae, the Cabbage family is another blog I’m writing in a series on wildflower families, inspired by my online Field Studies Council course.  Adding botanical knowledge of flower families to my observations of plants helps to increase the accuracy of my illustration work. White mustard Sinapis alba These blogs discuss some common wildflower […] Read more

    Autumn fruits

    Autumn fruits is a recent project I’ve worked on with the Field Studies Council, (FSC).  I’m lucky enough to do a lot of work with them, for their wonderful fold-our identification guides. I discussed working on a guide to coastal flowers a while back, this time let’s focus on autumn fruits and seeds.  (The finished […] Read more

    Water violet Step by Step

    Water violet step by step explains the stages involved in illustrating the aquatic plant Water-violet Hottonia palustris.  It’s one in a whole series of about 50 step by step blogs, many accompanied by films on my Youtube channel. Water-violet Hottonia palustris The Water-violet is a native UK aquatic plant, also known as Featherfoil.  It features […] Read more

    Trees: Horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum

    Trees: Horse chestnut is one of a series of blogs I’m writing on common British trees.  You can also see blogs on the Elder, the Yew, the Ash, the Oak, the Holly, the Sycamore, the Rowan, the Hawthorn, the Lime, Scots pine, and the Beech. The Horse chestnut is easily recognized, with distinctive palmate leaves […] Read more
    Lizzie harper botanical illustration of sunflower

    Flower shapes: Symbolism & Cultural significance

    Flower Shapes: Symbolism and Cultural Significance guest blog by Nina James Summer Flower shapes matter, culturally as well as botanically.  According to the 2016 Generations of Flowers Study 60% of Americans believe a gift of flowers has a special meaning.  This is unlike any other gift.  Many associate different colours with different meanings.   Red roses […] Read more

    Great Burnet Step by Step

    Recently, I’ve illustrated the Great Burnet, Sanguisorba officinalis for an interpretation board, to be cited on Jubilee Pasture, in Bugthorpe, Yorkshire.  This blog is a step by step explanation of the process.  For step by steps of other botanical subjects, please click here, and visit my Youtube channel for real-time films of me illustrating plants […] Read more
    fungus

    Fungal treats at Cusop Churchyard

    Fungal subjects always make my heart sing, so I was really pleased when three turned up in a recent species list I’ve been working on for Cusop Churchyard.  Not only were these three species new to me, but one is considered extremely rare! British earthstar Geastrum britannicum The British earthstar is one of a family […] Read more

    Trees: Birch

    Birch trees: The Silver and the Downy Birch   There are two main Birch trees in the UK, the Silver birch Betula pendula and the Downy birch Betula pubescens.  The Downy birch tends to grow better in wetter areas and in the north.  The Silver birch likes drier soils and is often found growing ornamentally […] Read more

    Trees: Beech

    Introduction Beech trees are common across Britain, favouring chalky soils.  The oldest Beech trees live up to 400 years.  You’ll find them in open spaces and in woodland and can tell them straight away by their smooth bark.  The trees produce beech mast which is nutritious for animals, and the canopy supports wildlife.  Beech wood […] Read more
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    Geraniums, Crane’s-bills and Stork’s-bills

    Geraniums, Crane’s-bills and Stork’s-bills is a guest blog from the wonderful Stewart Roberts, a local naturalist who shares his knowledge of nature and Welsh folklore on his wonderful Facebook page, where his illustrates his posts with his excellent wildlife photos. Potted Geranium from the garden centre The Geranium family Hardy Geraniums and the half-hardy pot plants Pelargoniums […] Read more

    Trees: Elder

    Trees: Elder is another blog inspired by my illustrations for “The Tree Forager” by Adele Nozedar, published by Watkins.  The book has inspired me to think about some of my favourite trees.  The Elder Sambucus nigra is the sixth in this series, along side the Sycamore, Ash, Hawthorn, Rowan and the Oak. The Elder Sambucus nigra […] Read more

    Lizzie Harper