Wiltshire Botanical Society
Welcome
Welcome to the Wiltshire Botanical Society. Our roots began in the 1980's when volunteers made a thorough and detailed survey of Wiltshire's flora, culminating in the publication of the Flora of Wiltshire in 1993. Instead of disbanding, the members joined together to form the Wiltshire Botanical Society. The society's aims are to:
- Foster botanical knowledge and to encourage interest in our local flora
- Increase members' knowledge and skills
- Publicise threats to habitats and populations of wild plants
- Undertake field meetings
- Contribute botanical records to local and national recording schemes
Plant of the Month
August
Red Duckweed Lemna turionifera
This is the first time a duckweed has been our Plant of the Month. Red Duckweed is one of a number of 'new' duckweeds introduced to the British flora, and was found for the first time in 2007. It has been steadily expanding its range ever since but can easily go under the radar.
By August, Red Duckweed has started to develop reddish pigments, which often intensify as summer turns into autumn. There is also usually a tell-tale red area where the root joins the frond (leaf) and a midline of raised bumps on the upperside.
It seems to like the same semi-urban habitats as Least Duckweed L. minuta (another naturalised species) including ornamental/balancing ponds, water features and even water troughs! Can you find any?
Join Us!
We pride ourselves on being are a very friendly society and we welcome new members, whatever their age, background or level of botanical knowledge. Annual membership costs £15 (single) and £20 for couples. To join, please email Martin Buckland.
Not sure if it's for you? Potential new members are very welcome to join us free of charge for a few field meetings before committing to membership.
Website Contributions
We always welcome news and contributions for our website. Please send them to the Webmaster, Sharon Pilkington.
