Plants and fungi

Without plants and fungi, we wouldn’t exist. They clean the air that we breathe, and provide us with food, materials and medicine. Find out if there is any truth in old wives’ tales of herbal remedies, and attract bees, butterflies and bats to your garden by choosing local species of plants.

Roots and Herbs - Exploring Jamaica's plant heritage

Discover how Jamaican plants were used in Sloane's time and compare their modern day uses. Can you help us find out more about them?
Lichens

Explore the amazing diversity of lichens and find out why they are the canaries of the plant/fungal world.
A guide to lichens on twigs

Use this interactive guide to help you identify lichens on twigs in your local area. Lichens are very sensitive to pollution so they are a good guide to the health of the environment where you live.
Country cures

Plants have been used to treat illnesses and ailments for centuries. Pass on the knowledge and let us know your herbal remedies.
Plant paintings

Browse the botanical drawings from onboard HMS Endeavour (1768–1771) – the first voyage devoted exclusively to scientific discovery.
The postcode plants database

Find out why it makes sense for gardeners to plant native plants and which species are right for your garden.
Seeds of trade

People rely on plants for far more than foodstuffs. Explore the fascinating history of cultivation and its impacts on society today.
Trees: Magnificent structures

How have trees managed to evolve into 80,000 species, from tiny arctic willows to giant redwoods? Discover the secrets of their success.
Does homeopathy work? (video)

Homeopathy is a popular complementary medicine, but is there any scientific evidence that it works?
The botany of Brixton Market (video)

Explore the natural history of foods sold at this bustling market – where do they come from and how are they are they used?
'Happie Money' The culture of chocolate (video)

Are you a chocoholic? Botanist Sandy Knapp talks about the history and culture of chocolate and shows how to make it the Mayan way.
Chocolate (video)

A brief history of the cacao bean and how it is transformed into the wonderful stuff that is called chocolate. Which beans make the best chocolate?
Who owns the cure for cancer? (video)

Most medicines come from plants discovered by local communities in the developing world. Should drug companies share profits with them?
Fantastic fungi (video)

Celebrity chef Antonio Carluccio talks about various different fungi, how to spot the edible ones and how to cook them.
Tea (video)

Discover the culture and history of tea and find out why it has become one of the most popular drinks in the world.
Life in the field in Panama (video)

What's it like being a botanist out in the field? Join Museum scientist Alex Monro to explore the rich flora of Panama.
Frankincense and Myrrh (video)

What are frankincense and myrrh? Ever wondered why they made such a good gift? Join two wise men who will reveal all.
Tomatoes of the Atacama (video)

Museum botanist Sandy Knapp explores the native home of tomatoes, how they came to Europe, and how they have changed since being cultivated.
Flowers and Fashion (video)

Botanist Sandy Knapp and fashion photographer Nick Knight explore the merging of nature and fashion in the beauty of flowers.
The solanaceae as food: A natural history of the potato family

Explore the incredible diversity of this amazing plant family, including potatoes, tomatoes and a host of other important fruit crops.
Bananas: more than a mouthful (video)

They can be served split, toffeed, baked and fried, but the banana is more than just a delicious snack.
Museum Nettle Day (video)

Join botanist Roy Vickery as he explore the much maligned plant, part of national Be Nice to Nettles Week.
The art of plant mounting (video)

The museum is host to over 6 million plant specimens, Andrea Hallaway describes the processes each specimen goes through.