Katia Plant Scientist

Happy Fascination of Plants Day 2026 from Katia Plant Scientist! Since 2018, May 18th has been designated as "Fascination of Plants Day" by the European Plant Science Organisation. #plantday #fascinationofplantsday #plantday2026 #sciencecommunication #botany #plants #science

This week (May 11-May 18, 2026) is the International Week of Plant Health! My research focused on the model organism plant Medicago truncatula's innate defence response to Pea Aphids. #planthealthweek #planthealthweek2026 #internationaldayofplanthealth #planthealthheroes

Despite the diversity of flower shapes and shades, all these magnolias photographed at Batsford Arboretum @batsforda belong to the same “species” known as Magnolia x soulangeana. The variety can be explained by the “x” in the scientific name, which indicates it is a hybrid.

Happy Mother’s Day to my wonderful Mom. I’m grateful for her love, support, and friendship today and everyday. She’s a brilliant woman and an inspiring role model with her creativity, intelligence, courage, and warmth. #mothersday #thankyoumom #sloths #floral #digitalart

Yellow Banks’ Rose (Rosa banksiae), cultivar “Lutea”, originated in China. With no thorns, vigorous growth, few pest and disease issues, and abundant flowers, it's nearly perfect except for the lack of scent. #banksrose #plantidentification #botany #flowers #yellow

Pumpkins and winter squash are renowned for their long "shelf life". My harvest has lasted 7 months in storage, and they're still good to eat!

The Forsythia genus includes 11 species with one species found in South-Eastern Europe and the rest native to China, Japan, and Korea. The most common Forsythia in European and American gardens is the hybrid Forsythia x intermedia. #forsythia #flowers #botany #plantidentification

Tomatoes "en cordon": The bamboo grid system helps keep the tomato plants regularly spaced while creating a sturdy support system. Music: The Kaya Project #tomatoes #howtogrowtomatoes #gardening #kayaproject #gridsystem #greenhouse #plants #solanumlycopersicum

Happy Earth Day, fellow plant lovers! We can make every day Earth Day in our daily lives. I reuse plastic items like labels / pots, reduce the use of unnecessary gimmicky garden supplies, and recycle kitchen and garden waste into compost. #earthday #sustainable #jungle #nature

Beautiful Easter floral arrangement at Saint Mary's Church, Batsford, UK. This church is the resting place of many people connected with the creation and development of the magnificent Batsford Arboretum. #floral #church #UK #flowerarrangement #Easter #spring #UKculture

Did you know that trees can survive the rotting away of their inner trunk? This venerable Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is like a cave due to the loss of the "heartwood", probably due to injury or stress. #trees #plants #botany #ecology #biology #plantfacts #hollowtree #ashtree

Stunning Japanese Cherry Tree (Prunus serrulata) at @BatsfordA last week. These cultivars were developed by master cherry tree breeder Masatoshi Asari in the Matsumae region of Hokkaido, Japan. #cherrytree #sakura #flowers #spring #plants #trees #pink

Exquisite Matsumae Japanese cherry blossoms of the Prunus serrulata are a highlight of @BatsfordA in April. These trees are cultivars rarely seen outside of Japan. #sakura #cherryblossoms #pink #plantidenfication #trees #flowers #spring #botany

Happy Easter and Ostara! Our traditional food for this holiday is devilled eggs. #easter #eastereggs #spring

A long forgotten botanical discovery has been found today - pansies with markings resembling facial expressions! This watercolour from the 1820's shows the lost variety in good versus poor growth conditions... April Fools! #flowers #aprilfools #pansies #watercolour

Guess where I am?

Cowslips (Primula veris) is currently blooming in the UK! The flowers and leaves of this native wildflower are edible. #cowslip #flowers #wildflowers #primula #yellow #plantidentification #botany #nature

Mediterranean Spurge (Euphorbia characias wulfenii) have tiny flowers inside structures called "bracts". #spurge #euphorbia #flowers #plantidentification #plants #botany

ECRs, one week to go! Please join us for an exciting event: The Sainsbury Laboratory Summer Conference in Plant-Microbe Interactions for Early Career Researchers 20th – 31st July 2026 Norwich, UK Application deadline: 12:00 BST (UTC +1) Monday 30th March 2026 tsl.ac.uk/tsl-summer-con…