Plant Facts
"Large doses result in vivid, intense hallucinations, which can last for over a day." 10 powerful, mind-altering, psychedelic plants –with some surprises
Humans have long turned to the plant kingdom to alter their minds - for religious rituals, medicine, or recreation. Here are some of these plants.
“Discover this notorious invader lurking in a garden and thoughts can quickly turn to damaged foundations, unsellable homes and eye-watering bills"
It has been blamed for wrecking homes, slashing property values and being almost impossible to kill. But how much of Japanese knotweed's fearsome reputation is deserved and is the notorious invader causing the same problems around the world?
"People once believed that fairy rings were dance floors for night- time fairies…" Just what is a fairy ring? And how do they form?
Just how and why do fairy rings form? We take a look
A great earthquake struck this mountain range – and created an underwater, eerie forest
This lake, deep in the Kazakhstani mountains, might be one of the most bizarre in the world
The strange island where trees bleed, deadly cucumber trees grow and nature has evolved in ways found nowhere else on Earth
Found at the entrance to the Gulf of Aden, Socotra island has the weirdest species
What's new?
"If inhaled it can cause high fever, extreme shortness of breath and pneumonia – up to 80% die without treatment." 8 deadliest spores on the planet
Most spores are harmless, but some are trouble. When they get into the body and become reanimated, they can release toxins, invade tissues and cause serious health problems.
"Letting it grow unchecked could result in a £2,500 fine £2,500." 10 dangerous, criminal weeds that could land you in legal trouble and paying a hefty fine
We take a look at some dangerous weeds that could cost your pocket
How do trees make it rain?
We take a look at the important role trees play in making it rain
Scientists set up a camera trap on this parasitic plant. Then something astonishing turned up
It’s thought that ants were visiting this mushroom-like plant – but it was actually a much larger creature
“It’s cloned itself to reach a whopping size of 77 square miles.” 6 biggest organisms on the planet including the Humongous Fungus
Whether it’s fungi, plants or animals, here are the biggest organisms found on Earth
Flowers
"The poison is quick to act, but will result in a slow and painful death. Symptoms range from vomiting to paralysis…" 8 deadliest seeds on the planet
Beware of these tiny seeds as they're hiding deadly secrets.
It might look like an insect, but this is no insect - it's flower hell-bent on deceiving males
Have you noticed some flowers look like insects? It's all to do with sexual deception says Phil Gates
Is this genius plant better at math than you? The answer is probably yes
The first informal use of Voronoi diagrams can be traced back to 1644 – but the Chinese money plant has had it figured out for much longer.
Flowers
Which species are named after Sir David Attenborough? And how many of them are there?
Sir David Attenborough has over 50 species named after him, ranging from a prehistoric marine reptile to a native British flower only found in the Brecon Beacons of South Wales.
Do plants sleep?
When the sun goes down, some flowers appear to tuck themselves in for the night.
But this curious habit is actually driven by a fascinating piece of plant science.
“These beacons of light in the mud do so much more than promise us brighter days ahead.”
The first signs of spring aren’t just beautiful – they’re essential to awakening wildlife, too
Fungi
Predators, prey and parasites discovered 1,640ft below North America's Great Lakes
A team of researchers from the University of Michigan has just discovered rocks and water teeming with fungi, segmented worms and 'water bears' hundreds of feet below Earth’s surface.
Researchers took moss from the Californian desert – and found something very weird (and tiny) in it
Mosses are known for their durability, able to survive anywhere from the peaks of the Himalayas or the sands of Death Valley, to the unforgiving vastness of space
This underground web of fungi is so huge it could reach the sun 1 billion times. Scientists have mapped it for the first time
The worldwide network of mycorrhizal fungi has been mapped out – and its length is astonishing
Fungi
Fungi vs plants: what’s the difference?
Fungi were grouped with plants by early taxonomists. While the two kingdoms share some superficial similarities, modern analysis has shown them to be incredibly different.
“The cordyceps erupts from the ant’s head.” Deadly parasitic fungus infiltrates an ant’s body and mind in this BBC Planet Earth clip
In footage captured for BBC’s Planet Earth, an ant is infected by deadly zombie fungus.
"1 in 10 people will sustain long-term damage to their lungs, & for 1%, the infection can spread to their brain & spinal cord." What you need to know fungus storms
Top 10 facts about fungus storms
Plant ID
Wild garlic guide: how to identify, when and how to forage, and recipe ideas
In the forager's calendar, spring is one of the best times – when wild garlic grows in shaded woodlands, filling the air with a light garlicky scent.
Wild roses and rosehips guide: how to identify, and how to make rosehip syrup
With its white-pink flowers in summer and bright red rosehips in autumn and winter, the dog rose is a familiar plant of our countryside.
How to identify non-native summer flowers
If you get the urge to gather a guilt-free garland of colourful midsummer blooms, these garden escapees may fit the bill. Naturalist and presenter Brett Westwood shares 12 for you to spot this summer.
Plant ID
Elder guide: how to identify, when and how to forage for elderflowers and elderberries, and recipe ideas
Elder has made the slow journey from protective mother-spirit to often being deemed as a hedgerow and garden weed, fit only to be sawn down.
How to identify common 'weeds'
‘Weeds’ are familiar plants to many of us, sprouting up and thriving on pavements and disturbed ground. Learn to identify 12 common species in this illustrated guide.
British wildlife in March
As spring brings an abundance of new life, it’s time to talk about the birds and the bee-flies. Here is selection of the month's best wildlife spectacles from around the British countryside in March.
Trees
This deadly tree is one of the most toxic on the planet, with just 50g of foliage able to kill a human within hours
Old and gnarled, yew trees are a familiar tree in our landscape and are often associated with churchyards. Our expert guide explores this native tree.
It weighs as much as 43 blue whales and spans 43 hectares – but this giant organism isn't what it seems…
Most people think this is an ancient forest dating back to the Ice Age. The truth is far more astonishing…
1,900 giant sequoia trees saved from death in California. This is how
Prescribed burns prevented almost two thousand giant sequoias from dying when wildfires tore through the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in 2020 and 2021 – and they could help more trees survive wildfires in the future, new study suggests.
Trees
What's the oldest tree on the planet? Clue – it's older than Stonehenge…
There is some debate surrounding the world's oldest tree. Here's why
“It can cause blurred vision, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure and potential fatality…”
On the remote island of Socotra, you’ll find a beautiful tree that hides a deadly secret
How to grow an oak tree from a single acorn (it's easier than you think…)
Autumn is the perfect time to try growing an oak tree, here's how
Water Plants
It’s 4,500 years old, 180km across and cloned itself from a single seedling – meet the largest, most humongous plant on the planet
discover the seagrass meadow that had been hiding a secret for thousands of years.
A giant 'horror movie' plant that can cause painful burns, eye damage and even blindness – with some effects persisting for months or years
You definitely don't want to go anywhere near this highly toxic plant. Here's what to look for and how to deal with it
The ocean's hidden, deadly killer: Why thriving seas can suddenly die and turn into mass underwater graveyards
Suffocated ecosystems, seizures and death: how deadly algae can wreak havoc on beaches around the world – and what can be done to prevent it
Water Plants
This extraordinary forest below the waves is the only one of its kind – and it’s home to one of the fastest-growing organisms on Earth
Stretching along South Africa’s rugged coastline lies one of the planet’s most extraordinary yet little-known ecosystems: the Great African Sea Forest
"Within a few hours the prey has become a nutritious soup, broken down by digestive enzymes released from the inside of its prison..."
The sinister secret of this free-floating pond plant lies beneath the water’s surface. Meet the bladderwort and its highly effective trap
What is seaweed and how does it differ to plants?
What exactly is seaweed? Is it a plant and how does it grow? Lara Howe, Marine Officer at Manx Wildlife Trusts, explains the mysteries of this slimy water plant
Wildlife Garden
Why do flowers point up or down?
Botanist Phil Gates discusses the adaptations of flowering plants.
Best plants to grow for pollinators in your wildlife garden
Dave Goulson, author of The Garden Jungle, reveals some of the best plants you can grow to give garden pollinators and other species a helping hand.
British wildlife in February
From fruiting fungus to winter birds, here is selection of the month's best wildlife spectacles from around the British countryside in February.
Wildlife Garden
Best garden plants for wildlife
Discover the best plants to attract more wildlife and colour to your garden with our expert guide.
How to build and care for your wildlife pond
Ponds are one of the most important features to include in a wildlife-friendly garden as a huge variety of species depend on them. Learn how to care for your wildlife pond with our expert guide, including best pond plants to grow each season and how to attract more visitors to your pond.
Truth or fiction: gardens can save our wildlife
Can small isolated patches of habitat really offset the damage we are doing to our environment? Professor of biodiversity and conservation Kevin Gaston provides the answer.
