Nature on our Doorstep: Three interesting plants from our collections and how they are affected by climate change

This post is a collaboration by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Hampshire Cultural Trust.

Introduction

During the past few months many of us have found solace and inspiration connecting with nature. We have done the same and asked our friends from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to look into our exceptional collection of preserved plants to see what caught their eye.

Join us as we take a glimpse at three special local plants with the help of Susan from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, and hear what they can tell us about nature on our doorstep and the possible impact of climate change.

All three plants are represented in our collections and were preserved by dedicated and enthusiastic botanists over 170 years ago.

Pyramidal Orchid

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Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) collected between 1836 and 1850 in the fields of Egypt Point near Cowes on the Isle of Wight

Deadly Nightshade

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Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) found at Longwood Warren, near Winton, Owslebury, in 1848

Spindle

https://collections.hampshireculture.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/max_2600x2600/public/objects/DPAAOA61.jpg,qitok=dYiMXN7i.pagespeed.ce.ywFLB1KbKc.jpg
Spindle (euonymus europaeus) found at Tolt Copse near Gatcombe on the Isle of Wight in 1840

Want more videos like this? Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust have plenty on their YouTube channel.

Get Involved

Did you know that Hampshire Cultural trust looks after the county’s Herbarium? Are you interested in getting more involved in protecting Hampshire’s plant life? Whether you just want to identify a plant you have seen on your walks or become a citizen scientist – there are many ways to take part!

Check out more resources by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust

Download a Plant Plotter survey form and submit your data to this citizen science campaign: https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/citizen-science-plant-plotter

Research plants and animals through the Wildlife Explorer database: https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/wildlife-explorer

Join as a Recorder and submit your species records to the county’s database: https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/species-records

Find out more about wildlife events, both virtual and site-based, near you: https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/events

Volunteer at Hampshire Cultural Trust

We have a small, dedicated team of volunteers who look after our natural sciences collections. If you would like to join them, please contact us on collections@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk or fill in our online enquiry form.

Become a member of the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland (BSBI)

The BSBI has two recorders covering Hampshire – one for the north and one for the south. They collaborate with the Wildlife Trust through the Hampshire Flora Group, which publishes a twice-yearly newsletter and organises field meetings and workshops. Flora Group membership is free to trust members. Everyone is welcome, whether expert or beginner.

The BSBI recorder for South Hampshire runs the Hants Plants web site, containing local news, details of activities and learning resources. It is being relaunched in 2020: preview the “new look” here.

Many more exciting resources are available on the BSBI’s national web site.


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Hampshire Cultural Trust

From museums to galleries to arts centres, we manage and support attractions across the county, welcoming over 740,000 people each year. Our charitable purpose is changing lives through culture.
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