# oxfordbotanicgarden botany herbarium rocknettle loasa oxfordplants400 wednesdaywisdom christmas

We’re all familiar with stinging nettles (urtica dioica) in the UK, but have you heard of the unrelated rock nettles?
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Find out more: https://t.co/7eZqoBFXxL
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6 34
2021-04-21

The 25th July 2021 marks 400 years of botanical research and teaching by the University of Oxford.

University of Oxford Botanic Garden: 400 plants of scientific and cultural significance https://t.co/ELCS1tPx03

2 4
2021-01-13

Some species of Eucalyptus have developed woody underground tubers which help the trees regenerate after fire.

Discover more about gum trees, several of which are famously the favourite food of koalas, in this article https://t.co/Fq39TLeeCx

2 18
2020-11-25

The name ‘Chrysanthemum’ is Greek in origin, chryos meaning ‘gold’ and anthemon meaning ‘flower’.
These autumn-flowering herbaceous perennials are native to China, eastern Asia and north-eastern Europe and are the star of this this week’s https://t.co/H7MhlLCyea

13 34
2020-10-23

week 351: The elephant apple (Dillenia indica) produces small seeds, which are probably naturally dispersed by large mammals (especially elephants) eating the fruit. Discover more about this evergreen forest tree in this week's https://t.co/UNSZuflytU

8 15
2020-08-16

The pungency of chillies is due to a specialized metabolite, capsaicin, concentrated in tissues that surround the seeds inside the fruits. Capsaicin content is subjectively measured using Scoville heat units.
Discover more in this https://t.co/j2beyB1P0n

12 24
2020-08-01

Coconuts are great maritime voyagers. The large, energy-rich fruits are buoyant, salt-tolerant and remain viable for about 110 days. Discover more in this article https://t.co/QEGY2pE0ab

10 35
2020-07-28

week 335: In 2005, under a Louisianan state law, the cultivation, possession and sale of the entire Erythrina genus was banned, except for ornamental purposes.
Learn why is this week's https://t.co/AjCjbs1rfv

4 15
2020-04-21

Did you know..? English elm (Ulmus procera), unparalleled as a rot-resistant timber, was highly valued for making water pipes until the advent of metal and plastic ones.

Discover more about elm trees and the fungal disease that threatens them: https://t.co/Dd007WK1CI

8 37
2020-03-31

Jute (Corchorus) originates from the Ganges Delta of Bangladesh and West Bengal and is second only to cotton in terms of global natural fibre production.
Discover more about this versatile plant fibre in this week’s
https://t.co/ZEYdynO5wH

11 26
2020-03-14

This cactus contains the psychoactive alkaloid mescaline. Ingestion of Lophophora williamsii, common name peyote, leads to feelings of extreme nausea followed by hallucinations.
Discover more in this https://t.co/ZFxMPWxNsS

9 28
2020-02-20

Gingerbread is a favourite, made using the aromatic, pungent and spicy rhizome (sideways-growing stem) of Zingiber officinale. Ginger has been grown at the Botanic Garden since the late 1780s. Discover more in this article: https://t.co/au8kuuRQKH

12 40
2019-12-24

Cloves are the dried, unopened, immature flower buds of the aromatic evergreen tree Syzygium aromaticum. The flavour of this popular Christmassy spice is concentrated in oil glands found in many parts of the plant, especially the flower buds.
https://t.co/qkGulPPCql

29 78
2019-12-09

Did you know…? Bitter almonds contain cyanide, which is probably part of the almond’s defence against predators. Consuming a handful of bitter almonds is likely to be fatal to an adult human (sweet almonds only contain a trace of cyanide). https://t.co/0dnmxEqfOO

2 17
2019-11-15

week 262: Did you know that all parts of the sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) are edible? Discover more about this remarkable plant in this weeks https://t.co/a7mBaB8rTw

10 10
2018-11-28

Ever noticed that European pears have gritty flesh? The cells of the pear have very thick, hardened walls, which cause the fruit to have a 'gritty' texture. These are known as 'stone cells'. Discover more in this weeks - https://t.co/wWYqA8oosW

19 27
2018-10-03