Tag Archives: Royal Botanic Gardens

Do Yew know your history? 🌳

How well do you know all the tree species in the UK? Could you identify ash, birch, oak leaves from all the others?  How about Yew? The European Yew (Taxus baccata) is one of Britain’s most mysterious trees.  They are tied up in local and national legend, everything from Robin Hood to symbols of resurrection.  And in amongst all these tales of old, there are some remarkable stories of the restoration of Yew at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh! Max Coleman, part of the Plant Power team, is a big fan. Find out why and read more about this remarkable species of tree here 

Posted on June 9, 2022 by modchryssa in DToL, Update. Tagged , , , . Leave a comment

🍄🧬 Chicken of the Woods: Our first fungus genome

Success for the Darwin Tree of Life Project: our first genome of a fungus is live! 🍄🌱🧬 If you go down to the woods today, you are in for a big surprise! 🏆🎉 The first genome has been collected and it is none other than the Chicken of the Woods, Laetiporus sulphureus.  This fungus is one of the most unusual located in woods throughout the UK.  It’s bright orange and yellow colouring is one of the most eye-catching, making its home on many of our native broadleaved species, including oak, sweet chestnut and ash! 🍄🌱🧬 The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has been instrumental in helping deliver this genome.  Read more about the fascinating history and work here 🍄🌱🧬

Posted on March 18, 2022 by modchryssa in DToL, Update. Tagged , , , . 1 comment

Ask the scientists:

How to use the activity

Watch the video to see what you can do on the Darwin Tree of Life site.