Category Archives: Botany

Undiscovered backyard biodiversity: New lichen species discovered in Guelph, Canada

Posted on September 26, 2018 by

Troy McMullin’s inventory of the Arboretum at the University of Guelph, in Ontario, reveals that there is still lots of undiscovered biodiversity in our backyards. Continue reading →

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Collecting diatoms in sunny Italy: Citizen scientist brings specimens for museum’s collection

Posted on September 5, 2018 by

Museum volunteer Joe Holmes reports on his Italian vacation that included Pompei, St. Peter’s Basilica…and collecting diatoms. Continue reading →

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Botanist reveals his favourite grass

Posted on July 11, 2018 by

While Canadian news stories swirl around weed, Jeff Saarela reveals his favourite grass. (Hint: It’s Canadian homegrown.) Continue reading →

Posted in Arctic, Botany, Collections, Research | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Art and Science: A Natural Mix

Posted on April 18, 2018 by

In anticipation of the Art of the Plant exhibition, Cassandra Robillard reflects that the love of art and natural history often bloom together. Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Botany, Exhibitions, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Visitor-turned-volunteer ushers museum’s fern collection into the 21st century

Posted on March 21, 2018 by

After almost 50 years as a visitor, Erica Eason turned volunteer to reorganize the museum’s fern collection for the 21st century. Continue reading →

Posted in Botany, Collections, Our visitors, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

World’s largest botany conference: “Care for Plants, Care for our Future”

Posted on February 7, 2018 by

What’s big, green and full of plant scientists? The International Botanical Congress, of course! This past July, in Shenzen, China, three Museum of Nature botany researchers gathered with 7000 others at the world’s largest gathering of plant scientists. Read museum researcher Jeff Saarela’s behind-the-scenes account. Continue reading →

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Two Rare Species, One Big Trip

Posted on December 13, 2017 by

As a member of the historic C3 voyage that circumnavigated Canada’s coastline in summer 2017, Paul Sokoloff writes about the search for two very special species of plants that exist only in one small area of the vast Canadian Arctic. Continue reading →

Posted in Arctic, Botany, Collections, Plants and Algae, Research, Species Discovery and Change | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Moss and Lichen: Wait, what’s the difference?

Posted on November 15, 2017 by

To Canadian Museum of Nature cryptogam enthusiast Cassandra Robillard they are small, fascinating and loveable. But for most people, a look at the botany assistant’s favourite organisms draws the question: What’s that? Continue reading →

Posted in Botany, Plants and Algae, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Green Tour of Rideau Hall for Museum Botanists

Posted on September 12, 2016 by

This summer, museum botanists toured the magnificent rooms and greenhouses of Rideau Hall, the residence of the Governor General of Canada, in Ottawa, Ontario. Continue reading →

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