pollination Archives - Lizzie Harper

Spotted Plants and Fungi

Posted on 20th November 202323rd August 2024 in Patterns in nature

Spotted plants and fungi is one of a series of blogs on patterns, follow the links for an overview of pattern, more on stripes, leaf variegation, and a step by step of a variegated geranium leaf. How are spots formed? Spots in plants are caused by areas of darker pigmentation, usually red anthocyanins. Plants sometimes […] Read more

Striped Patterns in Nature

Posted on 8th September 202315th December 2023 in Patterns in nature

Stripes Stripes are seen across the animal and plant kingdoms. Although the first stiped animals you think of may be zebra and tigers, there are lots of striped beetles, snakes, birds, and loads of stripy fish. Stripes for Camouflague Stripes are a brilliant way of providing camouflage. They break up the edges of an organism, […] Read more

Plant Evolution: A brief overview

Posted on 25th November 2022 in Biological terminology: Definitions, botanical terms

Plant Evolution is complicated, and in this blog I plan on simplifying it and trying to share some of the awe and joy that I get from the kindgom of plants. All the information is based an an excellent talk I recently heard on the subject, by Chris Thorogood and hosted by Julia Trickey. Plants […] Read more

Habit sketch of Cow parsley: step by step

Posted on 26th November 202126th November 2021 in Botanical Illustration step by step

Habit sketches are an important aspect of doing botanical illustrations. They need to show an entire plant, and suggest how it grows within its environment. This one of the Cow parsley, Anthriscus sylvatica, was recently done for FOR in Sweden. It accompanied a large sheet of sketches of the same plant. To learn more about […] 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

Trees: Hawthorn

Posted on 25th June 202125th June 2021 in Trees

Trees: Hawthorn is another blog inspired by my illustrations for “The Tree Forager” by Adele Nozedar, recently published by Watkins. It’s inspired me to have a look at a few of my favourite trees. The Hawthorn is another in this series, along side the Sycamore and the Oak. Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna is one of the commonest […] Read more

A Life on Our Planet – Working with Sir David Attenborough

Posted on 5th March 202124th March 2021 in Current projects and news

A Life on Our Planet, David Attenborough’s recent book, is extremely important. In it, he not only details the ways in which mankind has altered and damaged our world; but also tries to suggest positives, and ways we can help save our home planet before it’s too late. Cover of “A Life on Our Planet” […] Read more

Support the Bees & Save the World: by Gus Stewart

Posted on 22nd May 201814th January 2019 in Showcase of themed natural history illustrations

Support the Bees and Save the World by Guest blogger Gus Stewart. (For Gus’s guest blog on creating an eco-friendly lawn, click here) Bees and food Apples, peaches, pears, strawberries, onions, hazelnut, green beans, celery, coffee, watermelon, walnut – no, this isn’t a grocery list. These are just a few of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts […] Read more