Botanica
‘Botany, the science of the vegetable kingdom, is one of the most attractive, most useful, and most extensive departments of human knowledge. It is, above every other, the science of beauty.’ – Sir Joseph Paxton
Here you’ll find all sorts of juicy botanically inspired information. The more obscure and curious, the better. Think plant sex, history, zombie plants, plant profiles, plant mythology and more.
120 Results
Plant Profile: The Fig
BotanicaFigs are beautifully designed fruits. This story explores their history and botany, and shares some tips on growing these luscious, lascivious delights.
Indian Tree Veneration: The Art of Valuing Trees
Botanica, CultureIs there a role for art and spirituality in challenging us to change the way we look at nature in the west? This article by David Whitworth explores this idea. It's a great read!
Marigolds & the Mexican Day of the Dead
Botanica, CultureA beautiful story by Sally Wilson about memory, marigolds, and the Mexican Day of the Dead.
$100 Million Dollars Worth of Plants
Botanica, CultureThe National Herbarium of NSW at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney is a veritable (and valuable) botanical treasure trove!
My Mum’s Garden is a Bee Hotel
BotanicaA wonderful story by Sally Wilson on her mum's passion for the blue banded bee.
An Orchid Obsession
BotanicaKatie Cartwright has a passion for orchids, often finding herself elbowing her way through the old folk at orchid shows to get to the best plants. This is serious!
Plant File: Turmeric
BotanicaA short guide to growing turmeric in your garden.
The Mallows We Weave
BotanicaOccasionally I get so obsessed with a family of plants that I stalk each member thoroughly, to…
Orchidelirium: The Sexual Prowess of Orchids
Botanica, Culture‘Orchid Sexual Deceit Provokes Ejaculation’, reads one headline as I dive headlong into the surprisingly well documented sex…
Plant Profile: Sexy Shiso
BotanicaShiso (Perilla frutescens) is a fragrant, summery plant with pretty red or green leaves and a bright,…
In Sex We’re All The Same
Botanica, CultureI have a wonderful book called Plant Breeding for the Home Gardener, by plant geneticist and horticulturist Joseph…
Walking The Larapinta
Botanica, CultureSprawling west from Alice Springs are the entrancing West MacDonnell Ranges. I recently spent a…
Emily’s Herbarium
Botanica, CultureIn August 2013, Tavi Gevinson, the teenage editor of girl’s magazine Rookie, wrote about how keeping a journal…
To Not Forget
Botanica, CultureA funny, sad, and beautiful story by Lucy Kaldor involving her mothers funeral, Eucalyptus macrocarpa, and artist Laura Jones.
Fresh From The Pharm Gate
Botanica, HarvestIt would be understandable if you thought I could eat and house myself with the eloquence of…
For The Love of a Canopy
BotanicaFreddie Mercury once sang ‘Open your eyes. Look up to the skies and see.’ An old art…
The Choirgirl Hotel
Botanica, CultureDive head first into the beautiful madness of the Choirgirl Hotel!
Boabs: Ancient Trees, Modern Needs
Botanica, CultureThe boab is the plant world’s most ardent multi-tasker. This native tree might tread the line between ugly…
It’s All In The Leaves
BotanicaPlants are amazing things. We all know this, don’t we? Their amazingness comes in all shapes and…
Composting Possums
BotanicaApparently there are many non-compostable materials in the world. I have been told by a number of…
The Fire at Wallaby Creek
BotanicaFebruary the 7th, 2009. Black Saturday. 173 people were killed, over 2000 homes destroyed, and around 450…