This 2.5 day beginner to intermediate course will use vegetative identification to expand your botanical skills.
Many books and courses focus on plant identification using flowers. This course aims to help improve your identification skills of plants vegetatively, using a variety of field techniques and using the Vegetative Key to the British Flora by John Poland. Looking at a wide range of plants from a variety of habitats, the participants will focus on the key structures and features, which allow accurate identification of plants no matter what time of year.
This course will give you:
- An understanding of which vegetative features are important in identification.
- An ability to use the Vegetative Key to the British Flora to identify any species you may come across.
- Improved identification skills of native and non-native species of plants.



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Focusing on practical skills, with group and individual keying out both in the classroom and field; this course is ideal for amateur or professional botanists/ecologists both in the voluntary or ecological sector. No prior knowledge of botany is required, although the more knowledge you come with the more you will get out of the course.
The luxury of a weekend, means we can cover a wider range of species, and really get to grips with identification using vegetative characters.
This course relates to FISC (Field Identification Skills Certificate) levels 2+. Click here to see more information about the BSBI FISC and the BSBI Botanical Skills Ladder.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Distinguish the major vegetative parts of a range of taxa and identify a range of common plants to species level using the vegetative key.
- Recognise and name the major types of characters e.g. leaf arrangement, leaf forms, hair types, and other key identification structures that are widely used within the vegetative key.
Who should attend? – General interest (amateur/professional), Local Authority ecologists, ecological consultants, conservation officers and staff within SNCOs and NGOs, students, environmental managers, land managers, wardens
and rangers.
Knowledge level – Beginner to Intermediate. Level descriptors can be found on the following webpage: Framework and Course Level Descriptors
Prior knowledge – No existing knowledge or experience is essential, but attendees will gain the most from this course if they have some prior understanding of the parts of a plants and associated terminology, have used a key (not necessarily botanical) and have some prior knowledge of UK flora. Field Identification Skills Certificate levels 2 and above
Please Note: Bookings will close if course capacity is reached. If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. Please see the ‘What’s Included’ section for information on accommodation and meals.
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.
About the Tutor
Mark Duffell
Mark Duffell is an experienced botanist with a lifetime’s interest in plants. He currently splits his time between running Arvensis Ecology (conducting botanical surveys and teaching botanical identification to undergraduate and postgraduate University students, consultants and environmental organisations) and working as a Lecturer with MMU on their MSc in ‘Biological Recording and Ecological Monitoring’.
Example Timetable
Example Timetable
This timetable is subject to change and timings are provisional, but should give an outline of what to expect. There will be breaks during the day for refreshments, lunch, and dinner.
Friday (13:00-21:00)
- An introduction to the weekend course. Classroom based lesson looking at key characters with an introductory presentation.
- The day will be spent in Margam Country Park. The day will start by looking at some of the more common and familiar species getting to grips with ‘Poland’.
- In the evening there will be further use of the key with specimens and further presentations. (Finishing around 9pm).
Saturday (09:30-21:00)
- Continuation of the previous day, with more specimens. The afternoon will be spent either at Parc Slip or Margam Country Park.
- In the evening there will be further use of the key looking at some of the more unusual ‘linear’ leaved species that can challenge botanists.
Sunday (09:30-16:00)
- A day spent on Kenfig Sand Dunes, again tackling plant identification in a different habitat.
What's Included
The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you continue to build and develop your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.
The course includes:
- Classroom learning covering the theory of the species
- Field excursions to apply new knowledge
- Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
- Clear objectives and progression
- Refreshments (tea and coffee)
You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing this course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.
Accommodation and meal options
We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.
For courses runs at Field Studies Council Centres, there may be the option to book accommodation with your course. If accommodation is available, there will be two booking options:
- Non-Resident
- Resident (Shared Room)
If you choose a Non-Resident booking, this includes course tuition, refreshments (tea and coffee), and an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday night before the evening sessions. The course fee does not include breakfast or lunch, so please bring your own packed lunch for during the day.
If you choose a Resident (Shared Room) booking, this includes accommodation with a shared bedroom for two nights (Friday night and Saturday night) and meals throughout the course (starting with dinner on Friday night through to packed lunch on Sunday).
Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable. Please also note that bathrooms may be shared.
Bursaries and Subsidies
Student Discount
This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.
Natural History Bursaries
There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.
Before You Attend
There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can make any necessary adjustments.
What to Bring
- Stout walking shoes or boots
- Outdoor clothing suitable for all potential weather conditions
- Small rucksack or bag for carrying personal items
- Field notebook and pencil
- x10 or x20 hand lens if you possess one
Recommended Literature
You may wish to purchase a copy of the Vegetative Key to the British Flora by John Poland (2nd edition) before the course, to allow for annotations in the book for further use after the course.
Opportunities to attend this course
-
Fri 08, August 2025 13:00 - Sun 10, August 2025 16:00
Please note, you will require your own transport for the field site visits. All residential rooms are shared. Daily course times Friday 13:00-21:00, Saturday 09:30-21:00, Sunday 09:30-16:00.
- Non-resident Booking- please arrive for 1 pm on the Friday for the first session. Evening meals are included.
- Resident (Shared Room) Booking- arrive for 1pm on the Friday for the first session, with shared accommodation Friday and Saturday night.
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Progress Your Learning
This is a training course from the Field Studies Council, delivered by expert tutors with an approachable learning style. After attending this course, you may like to progress your learning with further relevant courses or branch out into other areas of natural history. The Field Studies Council offers both online and in-person courses, so you can choose the learning style that suits you best.
The course gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new subject and acquire novel skills. Our online portal gives you time to study at your own pace and fit the lessons around your own schedule.
If you have any questions about our courses please check our Frequently Asked Questions or email [email protected].
Group Bookings Made Easy
If you have a group of 10 or more individuals wanting to complete one of our courses, our team are available to discuss your options – from discounts to private team courses. Click here to find out more!
You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be at your fingertips. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.