Botanical Section
The Botanical Section welcomes anyone interested in plants. Join us from spring to autumn on our excursions to explore the many beautiful places of Perthshire and discover their fascinating flora. We hold about twelve excursions a year, either in the evenings, during the week or at weekends. Our searches cover a wide range of habitats, from mountain tops to river valleys, looking at plants throughout the seasons and ending with a fungal foray. There is at least one excursion organized for the summer that takes us beyond the boundaries of Perthshire. Members are always on hand to help with plant identification and with the understanding of our flora.
During the winter months, in addition to the Society's fortnightly open meetings, the Botanical Section organizes six talks on different aspects of plant life or natural history. The evening meetings are very popular and we finish the evening over a cup of tea or coffee with a chance to chat to the speaker and other members.
The outstanding work of Francis Buchanan White, the founder of the PSNS, resulted in the publication of the Flora of Perthshire in 1898 after his death. The Flora includes records made by other members, including the Birnam Postie, Charles Macintosh, whose botanical interests influenced Beatrix Potter. Latter day members helped to compile The Checklist of the Plants of Perthshire and we continue our efforts to update our knowledge of the flora of this, our very special area.
Photo 1. Pitcairnie Loch, Botanical Section Excursion August 2006 (Photo
by Liz Lavery).
Photo 2. Seaside Centaury at Tentsmuir, July 2006 (Photo by Liz Lavery).