(a species of owlet moth (Noctuid)) Some caterpillars, after they emerge from their egg, can increase their weight by 25,000 times.

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Plants and fungi

  • Encyclopaedia of life
    Encyclopedia of Life - 17/05/2007 (video)

    Graham Higley talks about the launch of the Encyclopedia of Life project that will create a free online encyclopaedia of all the 1.8 million living species on Earth.

  • Forest in Britain
    Fossil plants of Britain - 28/09/2004 (video)

    Britain's plants have changed radically over the years. Trace the roots of today's flora through the fossilized specimens at the Museum.

  • Pestle and mortar
    Does homeopathy work? - 30/11/2006 (video)

    Homeopathy is a popular complementary medicine, but is there any scientific evidence that it works?

  • Illustration of herbs
    The botany of Brixton Market - 15/10/2004 (video)

    Explore the natural history of foods sold at this bustling market – where do they come from and how are they are they used?

  • Cocoa plant cut
    'Happie Money' The culture of chocolate - 19/04/2003 (video)

    Are you a chocoholic? Botanist Sandy Knapp talks about the history and culture of chocolate and shows how to make it the Mayan way.

  • Cocoa beans
    Chocolate - 25/01/2006 (video)

    A brief history of the cacao bean and how it is transformed into the wonderful stuff that is called chocolate. Which beans make the best chocolate?

  • Tablets
    Who owns the cure for cancer? - 16/09/2003 (video)

    Most medicines come from plants discovered by local communities in the developing world. Should drug companies share profits with them?

  • Antonio Carluccio
    Fantastic fungi - 17/09/2004 (video)

    Celebrity chef Antonio Carluccio talks about various different fungi, how to spot the edible ones and how to cook them.

  • Tea plant
    Tea - 27/12/2003 (video)

    Discover the culture and history of tea and find out why it has become one of the most popular drinks in the world.

  • Men in a boat
    Life in the field in Panama - 03/12/2004 (video)

    What's it like being a botanist out in the field? Join Museum scientist Alex Monro to explore the rich flora of Panama.

  • Frankincense and myrrh
    Frankincense and Myrrh - 21/12/2005 (video)

    What are frankincense and myrrh? Ever wondered why they made such a good gift? Join two wise men who will reveal all.

  • Tomatoes of the Atacama
    Tomatoes of the Atacama - 10/01/2005 (video)

    Museum botanist Sandy Knapp explores the native home of tomatoes, how they came to Europe, and how they have changed since being cultivated.

  • British natural history
    British natural history - 30/09/2004 (video)

    Darwin Centre Live presents a tour of the botany of Britain: what lives here, how did it get here, and how has it changed the environment?

  • Flowers and Fashion
    Flowers and Fashion - 06/03/2005 (video)

    Botanist Sandy Knapp and fashion photographer Nick Knight explore the merging of nature and fashion in the beauty of flowers.

  • Banana plant
    Bananas: more than a mouthful - 11/02/2006 (video)

    They can be served split, toffeed, baked and fried, but the banana is more than just a delicious snack.

  • Nettle plant
    Museum Nettle Day - 16/08/2006 (video)

    Join botanist Roy Vickery as he explore the much maligned plant, part of national Be Nice to Nettles Week.

  • Plant mounting at the Museum
    The art of plant mounting - 16/08/2006 (video)

    The museum is host to over 6 million plant specimens, Andrea Hallaway describes the processes each specimen goes through.

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