In 2021, the enchanting Madrigal family hit our screens in Disney's 60th film, Encanto. Here we meet the plants featured in Isabela's song "What else can I do?", including a stunning orchid, the "exam tree", an obligate mutualist, carnivory and a tree that could be the inspiration behind the Madrigal candle!
Category: Plant science in…
LGBTQ+ Botanists in Pride Month: Vita Sackville-West
This week, we're taking a peak into the illustrious life of the "best-selling, bisexual baroness" Vita Sackville-West who, despite living in the 1920's, was determined to prove that love could be between a woman and a man or a woman and a woman, and sometimes both at once.
Plant science in Movember
Every November, men around the world leave their upper-lip untamed and grow fabulous moustaches to raise awareness for mens health. Here are the stories of three botanists who made incredible contributions to science and had excellent moustaches.
Plant science in Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign that aims to highlight research into breast cancer. Last month, my wonderful Mum was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. While she's undergoing treatment, I decided I would distract myself by doing what I do best - researching plants.
Plant science in Pokémon
Pokémon (short for Pocket Monsters) is a game in which human characters capture and train Pokémon to battle each other. In this post, we're playing "Who's the Pokémon?" and meeting their real-life plant counterparts.
Plant science in The Legend of Zelda
In the Legend of Zelda, Link can interact with many plants, using some in food and elixirs to increase his strength and battle others as "final bosses". In this post, we're going to explore three plants from different games in the Legend of Zelda sseries and meet their real-life counterparts.
Pride in plant science
To celebrate Pride Month, we're looking at six plants inspired by the Rainbow Flag. This rainbow of plants will take you on a tour of plant science, from ecology to biochemistry.
Plant science in enchanted forests
Enchanted forests have amazed and inspired us for generations. Whether they offer sanctuary, danger or adventure, once the protagonist steps foot within a forest, you know you're in for a wild ride. From breathing forest floors to bizarrely shaped trees, in today's post, we'll explore some real-life, fantasy forests that feel like the stuff of legends.
Plant science in space
On 30th March 2020, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley blasted off into space as the first astronauts to be launched by a private company, SpaceX. In honour of this historic moment, we're going to discuss the possibilities of growing and harvesting plants in space and on Mars.
Plant science in Avatar
Bioluminescent plants, giant Hometrees and plant communication might seem like science fiction, but you might not have to travel from one star system to another to experience the joys of Pandora.