invasive Archives - Lizzie Harper

Unearthing the Enigma: Japanese Knotweed’s Unstoppable March

Posted on 5th July 202410th July 2024 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations, Uncategorised

Unearthing the Enigma: Japanese Knotweed’s unstoppable march is a guest blog written by Matt from Japanese Knotweed Removal Specialists, JKWS For more on Japanese knotweed, including blogs discussing my illustrations of the plant, a step by step sketchbook study, and comparing it to other knotweeds, please check out my earlier blogs. You could also buy an […] Read more

Trees: Elder

Posted on 18th March 2022 in Trees

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

Cow Parsley: All about an Umbellifer

Posted on 12th November 20211st July 2024 in Botany: Telling species apart, Current projects and news

Cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris was on the list of plants I recently illustrated for FOR Sweden. These plants are invasive in Scandinavia, and particularly troublesome in Iceland. Sketchbook studies All the botanical illustrations I do for FOR are in a sketchbook format. I love working this way; it gives me the opportunity to include tons […] Read more

Comparing Hogweed Heracleum Species

Posted on 11th September 202016th September 2020 in Botany: Telling species apart

A recent job involved trying to show the differences between two species of invasive hogweed, Persian hogweed Heracleum persicum and Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum. This blog sets out to share what these distinctions are. Similarities These plants are both large members of the Apiaceae, or carrot family. They have big lobed, dissected leaves, and a […] Read more

Invasive & Japanese Knotweeds: Telling species apart

Posted on 3rd May 20193rd May 2019 in Botany: Telling species apart

Invasive and Japanese knotweeds are incredibly successful plants. Originally from Japan, China and Taiwan, they escaped from ornamental gardens, and have become established across the UK. They’re especially common in urban and brown-field habitats, and love railway embankments and the damp soils of water ways. One of the most difficult aspects of controlling them is […] Read more

What’s the difference between Virginia creeper and False Virginia creeper?

Posted on 18th April 2019 in Botany: Telling species apart

Virginia creeper Parthenocissus quinquefolia and False Virginia creeper Parthenocissus inserta are common and decorative. They are favourites with gardeners, who train them to grow up walls of houses and pubs where they give cover and autumn colour. They’re vigorous climbers, deciduous, perennial, and develop woody stems. They are also classed as an invasive plant species […] Read more

Telling Gunnera species apart

Posted on 8th March 20198th March 2019 in Botany: Telling species apart

Gunnera is an extraordinary looking plant. With its gigantic leaves, and ability to form enormous clumps that dwarf us, it’s easy to identify. But can you tell your Gunnera manicata from your Gunnera tinctoria? If not, here’s a quick guide. I learned this recently, whilst working on new illustrations for the Field Studies Council who’ll […] Read more

Step by Step: False Virginia Creeper

Posted on 22nd February 20195th April 2019 in Botanical Illustration step by step

Whenever I paint a plant, I tend to use the same approach. This blog is a step by step look at how I paint the False Virginia Creeper, Parthenoccissus inserta. Pencil Rough Once you’ve assembled your reference (preferably from life as it’s much easier than working from photos), draw up a pencil rough. This needs […] Read more

Telling Cotoneasters apart

Posted on 22nd February 2019 in Botany: Telling species apart

My recent botanical illustration work for a Field Studies Chart (as yet unpublished) on Invasive species included 5 species of Cotoneaster. Telling these plants apart can be a real headache, but I’m going to give it a go, and share my thoughts. I’m more than happy to be corrected in the comments section below! Cotoneasters are really […] Read more

Illustrating Invasive Plant Species

Posted on 4th June 201513th December 2018 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Natural history illustrators have to do natural science and botanical illustrations of both beneficial and of problematic invasive species. Many times, the reason a plant or animal is causing problems within an ecosystem is because it doesn’t belong in that system. It hasn’t evolved in equilibrium with the other species there, and thus out-competes them. […] Read more