Getting started

If you are just discovering wild plants, or want to cover the basics, start here and use the links from this page to understand more about getting to grips with botany.

Glory Of The Snow (Scilla forbesii)

What is botany?

An introduction to botany and botanists.

Into the depths - aquatic plants at Loch Ullachie, Aberdeenshire

What do I need?

Tips and resources for starting to identify plants yourself.

Discovering a whole new world

Equipment and tools

Advice on everything you need to get out identifying wild plants.

Gorse (Ulex europaeus)

Spotter sheets

Resources to take out and about spotting plants.

External resources

External resources available online.

Find your community

Discover your local botanical community, whether online or face-to-face.

Rosebay Willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium)

Start recording

How to get out and about recording, as a beginner botanist.

Early Dog Violet (Viola canina var leucantha)

About botanical records

Submit your observations to our database.

Thrift (Armeria maritima), Anglesey

The Recording App

Submit records via the BSBI's app.

iRecord

Record plants and everything else via this national platform.

Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)

Career advice

Advice for anyone who would like to work in botany.

Distant colours

BSBI vacancies

Job opportunities available within the BSBI.

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) and Chalk Fragrant-orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea)

BSBI volunteer vacancies

Apply for open volunteer roles.

Jobs in botany

Information on other botanical vacancies beyond the BSBI.

Opportunities for students

More about what the BSBI can offer students.

Andy Griffith Connie Simon Nutbrown Sampling Potamogetons

Collecting and pressing specimens

Advice for starting your own herbarium or preserving specimens for ID.

Getting to know the Umbelliferae (Jersey)

Appendix 1: Collecting particular groups

Specific guidance for difficult groups requiring extra care.

Trailing Azalea (Kalmia procumbens) East Ross-Shire

Appendix 2: The use of Polish Presses for plant-collecting

Specialist advice for this method of plant pressing.

Glasswort (Salicornia sp.), Northumberland

Key botanical terms

What do we mean when we use terms such as wild, native or alien?

Heather (Calluna vulgaris), Shropshire

General terms

Descriptive botanical terms.

Brown Sedge (Carex disticha), Northumberland

Parts of plants

Plant anatomy terminology.

Sharing meadow flora

So you want to know your plants

Our introductory booklet for all botanists.