Day7 of #AdventBotany – did the almond tree grow from Agdistis’ severed genitals or was it created to honour Phyllis’ wait for Demophon? Almond, Prunus dulcis – a tree that…Read More >
Public Engagement with Science
2014 Advent Botany – Day 6 – Myrrh (Commiphora myrrah)
Day 6 #AdventBotany – staying in the Burseraceae, Commiphora myrrah or Myrrh is an anti-inflammatory, flavouring and scent but over use can lead to side effects including rashes and nausea. …Read More >
2014 Advent Botany – Day 5 – Frankincense (Boswellia sacra)
Day 5 #AdventBotany – resinous sap of Boswellia sacra (and other related species), from southern Arabia, called Arabia Felix for its providence in having such a valuable plant. Frankincense was…Read More >
2014 Botanical Advent Calendar – Day 4 – Gold
Perhaps the most obvious plants to write about are the numerous species with gold (aurea and its forms) in their names. These range from Abrus aureus, a climbing vine in…Read More >
2014 Botanical Advent Calendar – Day 3 – Ilex
3rd day of #AdventBotany – Ilex is the only genus in the family Aquifoliacaeae. In Europe we know Holly (Ilex aquifolium) which is the third of our Christmas evergreens alongside…Read More >
2014 Botanical Advent Calendar – Day 2 – Viscum album
2nd December – Viscum album (Mistletoe) 2nd day of #AdventBotany – Viscum album – another evergreen but this time more sinister. This hemi-parasitic plant grows on a range of broadleaved…Read More >
2014 Botanical Advent Calendar – Day 1 – Hedera helix
By Alastair Culham 1st December – Hedera helix (Ivy) 1st day of #AdventBotany – Hedera helix – highly variable evergreen leaves symbolize eternity and resurrection. Ivy has a distinctive waxy…Read More >
