Category Archives: Plants and Algae

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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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 →

Posted in Botany, Plants and Algae, Species Discovery and Change | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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 →

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Plants 2 Papers: The Sequel

Posted on February 17, 2017 by

Our botanists have found that 300 species of vascular plants in the lower Coppermine River region of Nunavut. Fourteen species were observed for the first time in Nunavut. By publishing the results of this research, our botanists promote the advancement of Arctic knowledge. Continue reading →

Posted in Arctic, Plants and Algae, Research | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Pilgrim’s Progress: Sampling Diatoms in the Holy Land

Posted on February 9, 2017 by

A museum volunteer shares diatoms that he collected while travelling in Israel, Palestine and Egypt last autumn. Continue reading →

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Where in the World Is Snow Grass? Part 2

Posted on September 19, 2016 by

Dogged searching to the ends of the Earth—Did the keen botany student find snow grass? Continue reading →

Posted in Arctic, Fieldwork, Plants and Algae, Research | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Where in the World Is Snow Grass? Part 1

Posted on September 15, 2016 by

A passionate botany student tells of her adventures looking for the answer. Continue reading →

Posted in Arctic, Plants and Algae, Research | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

“Royal Canadian” Diatoms from the Rideau Hall Pond in Ottawa

Posted on August 25, 2016 by

Museum volunteer Joe Holmes collects “Royal” diatoms from a pond on the grounds of the Governor General’s residence, Rideau Hall, in Ottawa, Ontario. Continue reading →

Posted in Fieldwork, Plants and Algae, Research | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Windswept Wonders: Collecting Plants and Lichens in Arviat

Posted on August 18, 2016 by

Paul Sokoloff reflects on a one-month collecting trip by museum botanists around a Nunavut community on the shores of Hudson Bay. Continue reading →

Posted in Arctic, Fieldwork, Plants and Algae | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment