All botany articles

  • Morning glory and poppy
    Opinion

    A chemist in the flower garden

    2024-09-26T11:00:00Z

    The beautifully complex molecules plants produce are as inspiring as the blooms themselves

  • Closeup photo
    Opinion

    A citizen science app for teaching botany

    2022-09-08T08:30:00Z

    App-based tools support botanical literacy and citizen science

  • Resin drips from the Mastic tree
    Podcast

    Caryophyllene

    2018-10-19T11:37:00Z

    A biologically active compound from the biblical balm of Gilead, said to ‘heal the sin-sick soul’ and mentioned at the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

  • Illustration of plants bearing tablets and drug capsules as flowers
    Feature

    From folklore to pharmacy

    2018-08-13T09:33:00Z

    Although many drugs have in the past come from plants, Hayley Bennett discovers that it’s hard work getting them approved today 

  • Wooden floorboards
    Podcast

    Lignin

    2017-07-27T17:06:00Z

    Wood has been vital in the development of human civilisation. Brian Clegg looks at the compound at its heart

  • Trees in autumn
    Podcast

    Anthocyanins

    2017-05-07T07:00:00Z

    The pigments responsible for the rich colours of autumn leaves

  • Orange and black striped caterpillars of the Cinnabar Moth, on wild yellow ragwort flowers
    Podcast

    Ragwort alkaloids

    2017-04-19T15:35:00Z

    Pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Ragworts and other plants are popular with pollinators but a potent poison to livestock, as Mike Freemantle discovers