MKNHS Plant Group – What’s that Plant – and Why?
The purpose of the Group
The Plant Group was established in 2024 to stimulate interest in plants and particularly to improve the level of plant identification skills within the Society by sharing knowledge, skills and resources.
Who is the Plant Group for and what does it do?
The Group is open to all those members of the Society who support its purpose and who are able to give more time to the activity than is usually
possible through the regular Society Summer and Winter outdoor Programmes which it complements. Four field Events were organised in 2025 with an average attendance of c.16 participants and covering three different habitats: semi-natural ancient woodland (2 events one in February and one in October); acid heath; and wet meadow. Working in small groups led by the Co-leaders, the emphasis at all four was hands-on identification skills at the species level concentrating on herbaceous plants, trees and shrubs, and some grasses, rushes, sedges and fern: and then listing species observed in a systematic way. This approach has relied heavily on the sharing of knowledge between participants and will continue in 2026.
The outcome of each Event is captured in a Trip Report and a Consolidated List of Species Observed the latter including photographs to illustrate some of the learning points in plant identification and both published on the Society website (click here for link to MKNHS Plant Group Event Reports).
Where possible the information listed is compatible with BMERC requirements.
Typical pale grey bark with many small horizontal lenticels of Aspen, Saw-wort, Pilch Field, July 2025
or Grey Poplar. Howe Park Wood, February 2025 (Photo©Julian Lambley) (Photo©Bob Phillips)
Over time, we hope to build up knowledge of local sites including the possibility of working with partner wildlife organisations. We also hope that participants will enjoy the pleasure of observing plants in their natural setting, and of having a better understanding of their role in the local ecology.
Activities in 2026
Following a review of feedback from 2025 participants, four Events are planned for 2026 including one to take a closer look at plants of two
families: Daises and Legumes. Events will continue to take place on Sunday mornings from 10.30 to 12.30. (Full details about the Programme are available here on the Society website.)
10th May Linford Wood: Semi-natural Ancient Woodland in Spring
14th June Stonepit Field: to take a closer look at Daisies (Asteraceae) and Legumes (Fabaceae)
26th July Blue Lagoon: mixture of habitats and their less common species
13th September Flitwick Moor: peat bog, sphagnum moss, ferns and cotton grass
What resources do participants need?
Those participating in events are encouraged to bring a plant identification field guide: the Society website has an excellent summary of these
(See Society Website: Identification Guides). A hand lens (x10 magnification) will also be needed for some species and especially for the
Stonepit Field Event. Members are welcome to use an identification App but at species level we shall concentrate on the botanical features that are needed for greater identification certainty.
Those participating in events are encouraged to bring a plant identification field guide: the Society website has an excellent summary of these (see Society website: Identification Guides). A hand lens (x 10 magnification) will also be needed for some species. Members are welcome to use an identification App (see ID and Recording apps) but at species level we shall concentrate on the botanical features that are needed for greater identification certainty).
Black Bryony leaves and berries, Moschatel, or Town-hall clock
Shenley Wood October 2025 Rammamere Heath May 2025
(Photo©Janice Robertson) (Photo©Charles Kessler)
Communication
Information about the Group including Planned Events is publicised on the Plant Group pages of the Society website. For those on the membership email list, emails will be circulated with Event briefing information including emergency announcements, reminders about external training opportunities, and other plant related matters likely to be of particular interest to members (from February 2026 this will be managed by Janice Robertson). An informal lively Plant WhatsApp group has also been established for those who opt to join it (and thereby agree to share their mobile telephone number) (managed by Di Parsons).
How do Society members join the Plant Group mailing list??
To add your name and email address to the list, send an email to plantgroup@mknhs.org.uk or
at an Event ask Janice Robertson or one of the other members delivering the Event.
Current members of the Planning Team
Charles Kessler (leader of the Group and chairs the Planning
Team), Jenny Mercer, Di Parsons, Joe Clinch, Janice Robertson, and Carla
Boswell (secretary of the Team).
Updated 15th February 2026