Dr M still going wild!

Another team in Botanical University Challenge 2026! University of Galway, Ireland. First Irish team in BUC making it a truly international competition. Team has entered every year since 2022 & have reached the quarterfinals. How will they do in 2026?? #BUC2026 @MichelineShSk

Another team that just managed to sign up for Botanical University Challenge 2026 before Christmas is from University of Oxford. Their team won in 2023! #BUC2026 @OBGHA @OxfordBiology

Welcome to 2026 - and another team registered for Botanical University Challenge 2026 - University of Plymouth. Their team first competed in 2022, and were the runner-up in 2025! @plymouthbiol @biosocplym #BUC2025

Yet another team signed up for Botanical University Challenge 2026 - University of York! @biologyatyork @uoybiosoc @YESIUoY @AnthropoceneBio #BUC2026 #plants #loveplants

First rounds in Botanical University Challenge 2026 start February. Involve multiple choice questions. This is one from last year. Can you name this plant from the 5 options? #BUC2026

More teams have got themselves together for Botanical University Challenge 2026 #BUC2026 . Eden Project University Centre has announced its team!

Another team has entered Botanical University Challenge 2026. Students at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh have formed a team. First Scottish team to join in this year! #BUC2026 @TheBotanics

Botanical University Challenge 2026 #BUC2026 starts on-line 11 February. Teams of 4 students on degree programmes should register by 16 January. See website for more details. botanicaluniversitychallenge.co.uk

Another question to test your botanical knowledge. What plant family does this tree belong to? Five options - which would you pick? #BUC2026

How about this plant-related question? The Crystal Palace was built for the 1851 Great Exhibition, visited by 6 million people. In a purpose-built building designed by Joseph Paxton & Charles Fox. But what plant inspired the building's structure? 5 possible answers! #BUC2026

The answer is Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra).

Here's an interesting question, about bog rosemary. Found in bogs, mainly Wales, northern England, southern Scotland, central Ireland in the UK & Ireland - where bogs still remain. But what is its lovely scientific name? #BUC2026

What is the name of this commercially important plant? And if you want a second question, which plant family is it in? #BUC2026

This botanical question might be more difficult. About distribution of plant species in the UK and Ireland. Which one of the 5 listed do you see right at the coast around almost all the islands of UK and Ireland? #BUC2026

Big month for Botanical University Challenge #BUC2026. New issue newsletter The Thymes available QR code or download: botanicaluniversitychallenge.co.uk/the-thymes/ Also new 23 January deadline for university teams UK & Ireland to sign up. Competition starts 11 February!

Content January 2026 The Thymes, newsletter of #BUC2026 ? Includes Lindsay-Anne Heald from BSBI writing about a new initiative to increase wild plant video content on TikTok. botanicaluniversitychallenge.co.uk/the-thymes/

Read about the amazing student plant society at Prifysgol Aberystwyth University. Phyteclub - best student society prizes, revitalized glasshouses, brought plants back to prominence. QR code or botanicaluniversitychallenge.co.uk/the-thymes/ #BUC2026

Botanical University Challenge 2026 #BUC2026 starts on-line 11 February. Teams of 4 students on degree programmes should register by 23 January- deadline extended. See website for more details. botanicaluniversitychallenge.co.uk/buc2026/ @BSBIbotany

Read about student at Edge Hill University becoming enthusiastic about ferns and describing value of engagement with scientific societies. In The Thymes, newsletter of Botanical University Challenge botanicaluniversitychallenge.co.uk/the-thymes/ @studentsEHU @ehucareers

Feature of Botanical University Challenge is imaginative names of teams. Most popular ones each year, by public acclaim, get a prize. The current issue of newsletter The Thymes lists winners - but where are they from? Answers on last page! #BUC2026 botanicaluniversitychallenge.co.uk/the-thymes/