Woodland Plant Identification

This beginner to intermediate identification 1-day course will introduce you to the wonderful world of woodland plants.

Woodlands are an important UK habitat and being able to accurately identify woodland plants and specifically Ancient Woodland Indicator species (AWIs) can aid in establishing the conservation value and significance of these habitats.


This course will include:

Identification characters of woodland plants and similar-looking species.
Distinguish the major groups of woodland plants and recognise the key characters of those you can’t identify.
Use of a range of keys and other identification guides.
Practical botanical skills outdoors

This course will take place off-site from the Preston Montford Centre. You are able to park at Preston Montford and will then depart on minibus to the field site, Beechfield Dingle, Worthen. The course will finish back at Preston Montford. Please note, there are no toilet facilities at the field site.

The field visit allows you to appreciate the importance of Ancient Woodland Indicators in situ, see the niches they occupy and some of the challenges you may come across when identifying them.

The field site has a particularly rich ground flora including many Ancient Woodland Indicator species. Time will be spent identifying individual species and understanding their role in the woodland. Emphasis will be placed on key characters to distinguish each species from similar looking plants which in some cases can be common garden escapes and even invasive.

The only requirements for this course are an enthusiasm for plants and moderate walking ability.


This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off.

Please refer to the Field Studies Council website for further information and to book.
https://www.field-studies-council.org/courses-and-experiences/static-courses/woodland-plant-identification/

You may also like the following events from The Field Studies Council:

• This Saturday, 17th May, 09:30 am, Woodlands: A Habitat Introduction in Loughton
• This Saturday, 17th May, 10:00 am, Identifying and Comparing Coastal Plants in Haverfordwest
• This month, 27th May, 09:30 am, Plant Pressing and Oshibana Pictures Workshop in Loughton

Also check out other Workshops in Shrewsbury.