Wildflowers; Using Keys with Confidence

A key focus of the course will be learning to recognise the Top 20 plant families found in Britain. Rather than starting from scratch with every plant you encounter, you’ll learn to spot the patterns and characteristics that help you work out which family a plant belongs to. You’ll also be introduced to floral formulas and learn how botanical keys use these features to help identify plants.

The course combines hands-on classroom sessions with fieldwork, giving you plenty of opportunities to examine plants closely and put your new skills into practice. We’ll work together to explore flowers and fruits, dissect specimens, use hand lenses and botanical keys, and test our identification skills out in the field.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a better understanding of how botanists approach plant identification and greater confidence in using keys to identify wildflowers for yourself. No previous botanical knowledge is required – just bring your curiosity, enthusiasm for wildflowers and willingness to look a little more closely!

Alanna Cooper

Alanna Cooper is a botanist and Principal Ecologist with over 18 years’ experience in ecological consultancy. Originally from Canada, she has worked across both Canada and the UK, with extensive experience in botanical surveying, habitat management and ecological assessment.
Alanna has a particular passion for wildflowers and plant identification and enjoys sharing her knowledge with others. She is especially interested in helping those new to botany develop their identification skills and confidence, and in encouraging a greater appreciation of the diversity and value of our native flora.

Residential accommodation at Flatford Mill is provided within our historic Grade I listed buildings. Rooms are clean, comfortable and functional, but are intentionally simple and should be considered field centre accommodation rather than hotel-standard accommodation. Many guests value the character and heritage of the site, although facilities reflect the age and nature of the buildings.

Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are some rooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this is unsuitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible.

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.

Check-in is between 1600-1800, if you are arriving after 1800 please advise us, so we can ensure you are advised of access codes, room key location, and room location.
You will meet the tutor at dinner, and you will have your first session after dinner.

Day 1
Introductory evening, Looking closely at a flower.
An introduction to plant classification and the basics of flower structure.

Day 2
Morning: Getting to know your plants: Plant structure, flowers, fruits and botanical terminology.
Afternoon: From classroom to field: Explore plant features and put your skills into practice on a field trip around Flatford.
Evening: Consolidation of the top 20 families and introduction to the floralformula.

Day 3
Identify with confidence: Fieldwork at a beautiful local nature reserve, using botanical keys to identify plants, with lunch in the field, followed by a final short classroom session bringing everything together. The course finishes at 16:00.

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  Expert Tuition
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  Free Wi-Fi
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  Full Board Accommodation
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  Hot and Cold Drinks
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  Picnic Lunch

Full board accommodation and picnic lunch is available for resident bookings only.

Refreshments are included for all, but non-resident bookings are advised to bring a packed lunch with you.