Botanical Society of the British Isles
Pedicularis sylvatica

The BSBI is the leading scientific society in Britain & Ireland for the study of plant distribution and taxonomy. The society:-

  • publishes handbooks on plant identification
  • runs the national surveys of plant distribution
  • produces journals & newsletters
  • hosts botanical conferences
  • runs field meetings and training events for botanists
  • sets standards for professional competence in field survey
  • awards grants and bursaries for study and research
  • advises governments and NGOs on nature conservation.

    • This web site is designed primarily for the provision of information on botany to our members and to anyone who is interested in science and conservation. From here you can access numerous resources on a whole range of botanical subjects.

    Please spare a moment to consider joining and participating in the community of botanical research and study. Follow this link for details of how to join and what benefits members receive. The society is almost entirely dependent on donations and the voluntary work of its members.

    Hosted web pages

    Distribution Maps

    View distribution maps of plants in Britain & Ireland. These maps are updated daily. Find out how the maps are compiled on the Atlas page.

    Identify a Plant

    Using our multi-access BotanicalKeys web site, where you can submit your record, which will be forwarded to the relevant county recorder. Or, if you would rather, then please send us a photo of a plant for identification. The Plant Crib is the most detailed guide to the identification of difficult plants in Britain & Ireland.

    Books and Publications

    Visit BSBI Books for information on our publications, including our series of Identification Handbooks. Increasing numbers of Rare Plant Registers are free to download. The Digital Archive provides free access to electronic copies of our journals.

    Herbarium Digitization

    Herbaria@Home is a BSBI-supported project that aims to digitise the herbaria of the British Isles. It is a world-leading collaborative intiative in which the public are invited to contribute to this genuine scientific work.

    List of British Plants

    Our Taxonomy Database is free for anyone to search for information on the names of British & Irish plants and publications relating to them.

    Training

    Training is provided in partnership with other organisations, and grants are available for botanical study, research and attendance at conferences. FISCs are our accreditation system for botanical skills.

     
    Athyrium filix-femina (G.N. Toone)

    Peridological desiderata

    Geoff Toone is requesting fresh specimens of ferns for illustrations in the forthcoming Vegetative Key. Download the list here.

    Current Projects

    The Threatened Plants Project is an exciting new initiative to learn more about declining species.

    The Species Accounts are a forum for information and ideas about ongoing research into the flora of the British Isles.

    The Coordinator’s Blog contains news about botanical activities.

  • >> Field trip to Tiree 2009
  • >> Invasive aliens
  • >> SNH Conference

    • Draft maps for the forthcoming Fumitory Handbook are posted here for checking by v.c. recorders. Read more...

    The Maps Scheme is the world’s longest-running project of its type. It works on ten year date classes, the latest of which ends on 31st December 2009. All members can contribute through our network of county recorders or by using Mapmate.

    Axiophytes are species that indicate conservation habitats, and are a key research tool for the identification and monitoring of sites of conservation importance. Read more...

    Registered address: Botanical Society of the British Isles, Botany Department, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD

    The Botanical Society of the British Isles (known as BSBI) is a charity registered in England and Wales (212560) and in Scotland (SC038675).

    >>> Email us.