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Science news
Scientists weed out harmful genes to breed better potatoes
An unprecedented look at potato genetics could help to tackle world hunger.
11 May 2023 -
News
Plants emit ultrasonic popping sounds when stressed
Scientists have recorded plants producing airborne sounds in response to lack of water or having their stems damaged.
27 April 2023 -
The henna plant: Transcending time, religion and culture
Despite its global popularity, the origin and history of the henna plant remains hidden.
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News
Pitcher plants might be luring in prey using specialised scents
While species focusing on bees produce more floral odours, those focusing on fruit flies make fruitier smells.
19 April 2023 -
Dinosaurs
The Cretaceous Period: What was Earth like before dinosaurs went extinct?
The Cretaceous Period is famous for ending with a massive asteroid impact, but what was our planet like in the millions of years before that?
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British wildlife
Cherry trees and their beautiful blossom: where and when to see it in the UK
Keep an eye out in spring and you may spot the delicate pink and white blooms of a cherry tree.
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Date palm: The cornerstone of civilisation in the Middle East and North Africa
The date palm plays a significant role in evolution, religion and culture.
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Science news
Extinctions on the island of the dodo are pushing plants towards extinction
Almost a third of Mauritius' native fruits are no longer being dispersed as no animals are big enough to swallow their seeds.
16 March 2023 -
News
Over half of Britain's plant species are now non-native
Of the almost 3,500 British plant species, non-native plants now outnumber native species by 51% to 49%.
10 March 2023 -
News
New fossils challenge the identity of the oldest bryozoan
The oldest colonial animal might actually be one of the oldest types of seaweed.
8 March 2023 -
The giant sequoia, Sequoiadendron giganteum: the biggest tree in the world
Explore the stories of the giant redwoods and the extraordinary Cherokee man Sequoyah, who influenced their name.
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British wildlife
The best small trees, climbers and shrubs to plant for wildlife
Planting a diversity of shrubs, climbers and small trees can help boost biodiversity. October to April is prime planting time, so have your spade at the ready.
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Collections
Christmas plants: The traditions and science of festive flora
Two Museum experts highlight the stories and science behind some of our most festive flora.
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Anthropocene
How are climate change and biodiversity loss linked?
The climate crisis and biodiversity loss are closely connected but the good news is, so are the solutions.
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Anthropocene
Plant expert Ana Claudia Araujo investigates the extinction of our global flora
Museum plant specialist Ana Claudia researches global biodiversity decline.
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Collections
Hidden Treasures: Season one of our behind-the-scenes live streams
Catch up on season one of our interactive behind-the-scenes live stream.
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Science news
South African fossils reveal the lost world of ancient invertebrates
Leeches, mites and plants found at the site are revealing the ecosystems ancient animals walked over 260 million years ago.
30 November 2022 -
British wildlife
There's life among the dead: Wildlife in cemeteries
Left alone over time, many graveyards have become secluded sanctuaries where plant and animal life can thrive.
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News
Unlocking wheat's genetic secrets to feed the world
A new project aims to use the Museum's historic collections to investigate how the genome of wheat has changed.
12 October 2022 -
Science news
Climate change will increase termite activity, releasing more carbon dioxide
Termites could reduce the amount of carbon stored in wood as the world gets hotter and drier.
22 September 2022 -
British wildlife
Cuckoo spit and fascinating froghoppers (spittlebugs)
In spring and summer, you might notice something looking like spit on a plant.
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News
Drug pollution is threatening the water quality of the world's rivers
Over 40% of the world's rivers could contain harmful levels of pharmaceuticals.
6 July 2022 -
News
The world's largest waterlily is bigger than a double bed
The world's largest waterlily has been discovered in the wetlands of northern Bolivia.
4 July 2022 -
News
First carnivorous plant to grow underground pitfall traps discovered
Nepenthes pudica is changing what we know about carnivorous species, but may already be Critically Endangered.
30 June 2022 -
News
The world's largest bacteria are visible to the naked eye
Measuring over a centimetre long, Thiomargarita magnifica is over 5000 times bigger than the average microbe.
23 June 2022 -
News
The world's largest plant is an Australian seagrass clone
Believed to be at least 4,500 years old, Shark Bay's Posidonia australis covers an area bigger than Washington DC.
1 June 2022 -
News
Plants grown in lunar soil for the first time
While the plants flowered, lunar soils negatively affected their growth, meaning there is still some way to go until farming on the Moon becomes a viable prospect.
12 May 2022 -
News
'Extinct' flower rediscovered in Ecuador after forest destruction
Though Gasteranthus extinctus may be Critically Endangered, there is hope it can be brought back from the brink.
15 April 2022 -
Anthropocene
Tumbleweeds: the fastest plant invasion in the USA's history
Tumbleweeds have starred in many movies, but their representation in popular media may be somewhat misleading.
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News
Cities are influencing plant evolution globally
White clovers are adapting to face the dryness of cities globally by reducing production of anti-herbivore compounds.
17 March 2022 -
Science news
New group of plants was one of the first to colonise the land
Ancient plants measuring just two centimetres long could show what the ancestor of vascular plants looked like.
16 February 2022 -
Science news
Nanofoam discovered in pollen could power cars and save lives
Structures inspired by pollen could make electric car batteries cheaper and more efficient.
9 February 2022 -
News
Global warming is causing UK plants to flower earlier
Plants in the UK now flower around a month earlier than they were hundreds of years ago.
2 February 2022 -
News
Giant pandas' supercharged gut takes advantage of changing seasons
Pandas develop a supercharged gut for part of the year, allowing them to gain weight when they chow down on the most nutritious parts of bamboo.
19 January 2022 -
News
Without animals, plants' ability to move with climate change halves
The historic loss of large mammals such as wolves and aurochs means that plants are much less able to spread their seeds to suitable climates.
17 January 2022 -
News
Tree named after Leonardo DiCaprio is one of 2022's first new species
A newly described species of tree has received international attention after being named in honour of actor Leonardo DiCaprio.
11 January 2022 -
Biodiversity
Christmas animals and plants: The festive species named for 25 December
Over 30 species globally are named for Christmas Day, recognising their bright colours, place of origin or reproductive cycle.
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What on Earth?
Unwanted guests: the weird world of parasitic plants
Most plants get the energy they need through photosynthesis, but some get their nutrition by stealing it from another plant instead. About 1% of flowering plants (around 4,000 species) are parasitic.
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News
The deadly effects of sewage pollution on nature
Sewage in Britain's waterways has been hitting the headlines recently. But what effect does raw waste have on our rivers, streams and oceans?
4 November 2021 -
News
Microbes that form clouds threatened by climate change
Microbes in the air could be among the victims of climate change, with 15% of airborne species of bacteria predicted to go extinct.
21 October 2021 -
News
Mexican mangrove forests offer glimpse into 110,000-year-old 'lost world'
The 'lost world' gives a glimpse of the planet before the last Ice Age.
9 October 2021 -
What on Earth?
16 weird plants that seem more supernatural than natural
Discover this creepy collection of nature's strangest plants.
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News
Plants and pollinators use electric fields to find each other
Pollinators and flowers can attract each other with electric fields to maximise the benefits for both, researchers have found.
27 September 2021 -
What on Earth?
Mutualism: eight examples of species that work together to get ahead
In nature, species will sometimes form unexpectedly close bonds and work to their mutual benefit.
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British wildlife
FAQ about creating and maintaining a garden wildlife pond
Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about garden pond set-up, maintenance and care.
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British wildlife
How to make a small wildlife pond
A garden pond is one of the best ways you can help Britain's wildlife. You can create one in even the tiniest of gardens.
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British wildlife
Pond life: facts about pond habitats, plants and animals
Ponds are crucial habitat for a great diversity of wildlife.
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Nature activities for summer
25 fun activities to get you out exploring and reconnecting with nature.
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What on Earth?
Carnivorous plants: the meat-eaters of the plant world
These real-life triffids aren't picky eaters.
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Anthropocene
How to make a worm composter
Turn your kitchen food scraps into fantastic fertiliser by making a wormery.
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British wildlife
How to grow a wildflower pot for pollinators
Growing native wildflowers helps provide the right food for pollinating insects, making life better for your local wildlife.
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Anthropocene
How to grow a loofah
For a summer gardening project and a sustainable swap, luffa fruits can be grown to be used in place of synthetic sponges.
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Anthropocene
Aspirin, morphine and chemotherapy: essential medicines powered by plants
Plants' many health benefits are helping fight some of humankind's biggest killers, such as heart disease and cancer.
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British wildlife
Bringing back the carnivorous great sundew and other rare plants
How people power is saving plants from local extinction in North West England.
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News
What 5,000-year-old penguin poo can teach us about climate change
Looking at the record of bird poo preserved for thousands of years could give us clue as to what might happen as climate change gathers pace.
23 October 2020 -
Collections
Meet the Tanzanian building a herbarium to inspire the next generation
Canisius Kayombo is a remarkable researcher who is enriching our understanding of plants and science.
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Science news
40% of plants are threatened with extinction
The extinction risk to plants could be worse than previously thought, according to a landmark report.
30 September 2020 -
British wildlife
Why road verges are important habitats for wildflowers and animals
They cover an enormous area of the UK and are home to many rare and declining wild plants, insects, amphibians and more.
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How to make an easy Sun print
Making Sun prints is a fun activity that can turn leaves and flowers into simple but distinctive artworks.
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Science news
New Guinea is home to more plant species than any other island
The first taxonomically verified checklist of the plants of New Guinea is complete.
5 August 2020 -
Collections
London calling: nine specimens from the big city
These exhibits all have a story rooted in London, from the banks of the River Thames to Trafalgar Square and all the way to the Tower of London.
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British wildlife
Twelve things to see in nature this summer
Can you find these usual summer suspects on your walk?
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Anthropocene
What are invasive species?
Invasive species are a much bigger threat to nature than many people realise.
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Anthropocene
Nature and pollution: what lichens tell us about toxic air
Like small signposts, lichens can tell us a lot about the air we are breathing.
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What on Earth?
Crown shyness: are trees social distancing too?
Some trees keep their distance from one another, but why do they do it?
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British wildlife
How to grow a lawn that's better for wildlife
Attract bees to your lawn with clover, grow a mini wildflower meadow, add areas of aromatic thyme and more ideas.
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Science news
Why you should care about scientists sequencing the wheat genome
Sequencing the wheat genome could help to protect food supplies in the future.
22 April 2020 -
Biodiversity
Nature and breast cancer: the plants that saved a botanist's life
The great diversity of life on Earth can become a literal support system.
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Biodiversity
Why we need green spaces in cities
Our cities are damaging our health. Here's how plants can help us.
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British wildlife
Seven simple ways to create a wildlife-friendly garden
Find out how to help urban nature and attract more wildlife to your garden.
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Dinosaurs
Go on a Jurassic scavenger hunt
This scavenger hunt will take you and your family back to the time of the dinosaurs.
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News
Brilliant Butterflies project launched to restore rare grasslands
The two-year project will help conserve rare plants and invertebrates.
25 September 2019 -
Collections
The 330-million-year-old fossil tree that's stood the test of time
Discover the story of the 11-tonne fossil that's been welcoming visitors to the Museum since 1887.
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Anthropocene
Experts explain the effect of the Amazon wildfires on people, animals and plants
Wildfires are ripping through the Amazon rainforest at an unprecedented rate.
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British wildlife
UK tree identification: five common urban trees
Discover the most common trees in Britain's towns and cities and what helps them to thrive in an urban environment.
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Science news
How did potatoes adapt to Europe?
How did potatoes come to Europe and how did they adapt to a new environment?
2 August 2019 -
Collections
Joseph Banks: scientist, explorer and botanist
Meet eighteenth-century naturalist and collector Sir Joseph Banks.
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British wildlife
How to press flowers
Follow our simple instructions to prepare pressed flowers for craft projects or create your own plant herbarium.
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British wildlife
Signs of spring
Museum wildlife experts share their favourite signs spring is here or on its way.
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Science news
A tiny fossil amoeba is helping us to understand how plants first bloomed
The new amoeba species is the earliest of its kind ever discovered.
24 January 2019