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. Three field Events were organised in 2024 with an average attendance of 14 participants and covering three different habitats: ancient woodland; reseeded meadow and limestone scrape; and river bank. Working in small groups led by the Co-leaders, the emphasis in all three was hands-on identification skills at the species level initially concentrating on flowering plants but including some grasses, rushes, sedges and trees; 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 2025.
The outcome of each Event has been 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. (MKNHS Plant Group Event Reports).
Sticky Mouse Ear (Cerastium glomeratum)
showing the glandular hairs, Shenley Wood April 2024
(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 2025
Following a review of feedback from 2024 participants, four Events are planned for 2025 including two new habitats, and a repeat visit to Shenley Wood at a different time of the year. Trees and Grasses will have more attention than in 2024 and Ferns have been added to the species to be identified where we can. Events will continue to take place on Sunday mornings from 10.30 to 12.30 (full details about the Programme are available on the Society website) (link here)
- Howe Park Wood 23rd February Ancient Semi-natural Woodland habitat
- Rammamere Heath 11th May acid Heathland habitat
- Pilch Field 13th July established wet Meadow habitat
- Shenley Wood 12th October Ancient Semi-natural Woodland habitat
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 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).
Communication
Information about the Group including Planned Events is publicised on the Plant Group page of the Society website. For those that register an interest, email will be used for circulation of event specific information prior to it and for emergency announcements. An informal lively Plant WhatsApp group has also been established for those that opt to join it (and thereby agree to share their mobile telephone number).
How do Society members register their interest in the Group?
Send an email to joeclinch@btinternet.com
How are activities planned and organised?
The 2025 Programme has been developed by the Plant Group Planning Team whose current members are Charles Kessler who leads the Group and chairs the Planning Team: plus Jenny Mercer, Di Parsons, Carla Boswell (secretary of the Team), and Joe Clinch.
We also acknowledge with thanks the contributions of the following to the Plant Group’s website presence: Bob Phillips (photographs); Martin Ferns (web editor), and the Web Team (redesign of the website).
21st January 2025