Plant Facts

Wild orchids harvest to make sale © A. Hinsley

World's most illegally traded species being side-lined

Both the lake and the meadow contain a variety of fauna and flora. © Robbie Blackhall-Miles

Meadow transformation in Snowdonia by local people

The Scottish coast boasts many species of kelp, a keystone species © Ailsa McLellan

Kelp dredging proposal for Scotland’s West Coast

Love vine from the Rice University labs, where this curious behaviour was first documented © Brandon Martin/Rice University

Researchers discover love vine’s twisted relationship with gall wasp

Meadows at High Fields, purchased by the National Trust © Michael Scott & Caters

Wildlife-rich Peak District farmland purchased by the National Trust

Seaton Meadows, a Plantlife reserve in Rutland. © Ernie Janes/Plantlife

Wildflower favourites are in danger due to devastation of grasslands and meadows

The Queen Alexandra's birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae) is the largest butterfly in the world with a wingspan of 25 cm, and was reassessed for the latest IUCN Red List update © Mark Joy

IUCN Red List update: how different species have fared

ButterflyGarden_623-f3fd620

Wildlife Gardening

How to make a butterfly-friendly garden

Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) © Andia / UIG / Getty

Why do flowers point up or down?

Psychedelic mushrooms Psilocybe cyanescens. © Nathan Griffith/Getty

Why are some mushrooms magic?

Trees with submerged roots develop snorkel-like structures known as pneumatophores © Auscape/ Getty

What are tree snorkels?

Tiffany Francis with gorse bush

The art of foraging, with a recipe for hawthorn vinegar

Dominique West (centre), Dr Paul Hills (left), Dr Gary Stafford (right) and Martin Smit (back) are working to conserve the paintbrush lily © Stefan Els

How these scientists are saving a tiny lily from extinction

Signal crayfish © Trevor Renals

10 invasive species causing problems in the UK