The Devonshire Association

Botany Section

Information

two members of the botany section looking for plants

Botanising
Photo: Antony T. Buller

The Botany Section was founded in 1908 to promote the study and enjoyment of Devon’s wild plants, including bryophytes (mosses), lichens and fungi.

An annual program of field meetings, some of which are aimed at beginners, is held in a wide range of Devon locations. Through these meetings and other activities, the Section helps its members and the general public to improve their identification skills and to record the distribution of Devon’s plants. It also offers expert assistance at events run by like-minded bodies showcasing the county’s wildlife.

In 2016, the Section produced a prolifically illustrated book, entitled A New Flora of Devon, which features new species accounts and new distribution maps. This is the first book to be published on the subject since the Atlas of Devon Flora in 1984, and is an important account of the state of Devon’s vascular plants.

The Section is the major source of botanical expertise in the county.

Committee

(as of Feb 2018)

Chairman: Dr D. J. Allen
Vice-Chairman: Mrs M. Breeds
Hon Secretary: Tim Purches 22 Hopton Close, Plymouth PL6 5JJ (Tel. 01752 795256, email: tim.purches@gmail.com)
Hon Treasurer: Mr D. Cann
Recorders:

  • R. E. N. Smith – Vascular Plants. 12 Castlewood Avenue, Highweek, Newton Abbot TQ12 1NX (Tel. 01626 368577)
  • F. R. Jeffery – Bryophytes. 3 Berrow Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth PL3 5PZ (Tel. 01752 788352)
  • Mrs B. Benfield – Lichens. Penspool Cottage, Plymtree, Cullompton EX15 2FY (Tel. 01884 277470)
  • Nicola Bacciu – Fungi. 3 Allhallows Court, Exeter, EX4 3BJ (Tel. 01392 215512)

Committee members: Officers and Recorders & Dr R. M. H. Hodgson

Events

See a list of upcoming events organised by this section.

It’s also possible to review the Section’s past events.

Section postings

The following pages were written by members of the Section.

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