Meeting Kew’s Daisy Experts

Insects love the Daisy family. Daisies were my first botanical love as I sat on my grandparents’ front lawn. Their showy flowers cheer us with a profusion of colour and the happy sound of buzzing bees.

It was with great relish that I visited Kew Gardens for the latest in the popular series of Meet the Expert tours. September’s focus is on Compositae (Asteraceae), more generally known as the Daisy or Sunflower plant family. In the first tour of the month, Dr Nick Hind, Kew’s Compositae expert and Lucy Bell, horticulturalist on the Great Broad Walk Borders shared their knowledge and enthusiasm with our lucky group of multinational visitors.

Compositae or Asteraceae are the world’s largest family of flowering plants. They grow on every continent except Antarctica. Kew’s State of the World’s Plants 2017 estimated the family’s size at 1,600 genera with 32,581 species. September is a particularly good time to admire their late summer colour.

Echinacea, Cone Flower

History

The tour began at the edge of Kew’s Great Broad Walk Borders. Kew has relatively few herbaceous borders, as its main focus is on plant science, conservation and research. Lucy Bell explained the history of the Great Broad Walk Borders. The Broad Walk is a wide path that runs from the Palm House to the Orangery. Kew’s first official director, William Hooker, appointed Decimus Burton as its architect and William Nesfield as landscape architect.

What’s in the name?

The existing borders maintained by Lucy and her assistant Maya are 3 years old and were created as part of a colourful redesign. Lucy drew our attention to the radiate heads of the family with its ray and disk florets. What most of us assume is a single flower is in fact a series of compact inflorescences. These composite flowers are the origin of the daisy family’s oldest Latin name of Compositae. Asteraceae is accepted as an equally valid family name. It is named after the star-like inflorescence of the Aster, the first-named or type genus in the family.

Star-shaped flower

Pollination

A wide range of pollinators visit the Daisy family. As if on cue, the pollinators arrived on Helenium. The flowers open systematically The red and yellow ray florets attract pollinators to the discoid florets. The changing shape of the flowers help ensure that bees do not waste time with already pollinated flowers.

Other Compositae on view in the Great Broad Walk Borders were: Achillea, Aster, Centaurea, Cichorium, Cynara, Echinacea, Echinops, Heliopsis, Inula, Ostospermum, Rudbeckia and Symphyotrichum.

Achillea

Gardening Advice
For the gardeners in our group, our expert horticulturalist extolled the virtues of the Chelsea Chop. This term refers to the practice of reducing plants by a third in May around the time of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. It seems brutal at the time. The rewards are reduced staking and more compact growth.

Rudbeckia

In the Kew Herbarium
For the second part of the tour, our group were lucky to go behind the scenes on an exclusive visit Kew’s Herbarium. Our expert, Dr Nick Hind, met us there. He is Kew’s expert in the scientific research and conservation of Compositae. He proudly advised that he is Kew’s oldest member of staff, but his enthusiasm for Kew, the Herbarium and his research subject are self-evidently undimmed. In fact, not only did we learn about the purpose and functioning of the Herbarium, we also heard more about the building’s architecture than I heard during my 2017 Open House London tour.

Dr Nick Hind in Kew's Herbarium with open Rubiaceae cabinet behind

Dr Hind Explains Herbaria
Dr Hind explained that a herbarium is a store of pressed, dried plants. We heard about the process and labelling in detail. Kew’s Herbarium is one of the largest in the world. At the mention of fireproof cabinets, my blood ran cold thinking of the devastating fire at the Brazilian National Museum just the day before. The fire has underlined the importance of digitising Kew’s collections and those of other precious collections worldwide. The original specimens remain irreplaceable.

In the Newer Vaults

Following a reorganisation, the two largest collections, Compositae (Asteraceae) and Leguminosae (Fabaceae) were rehoused. Dr Hind took us into the modern Compositae vault. Gone are the cupboards. Specimens are stored in fireproof boxes in compactor shelving to optimise space. The vault is air-conditioned and temperature-controlled between 14 and 15°C. Beetles are the bane of every herbarium curator. The low temperature prevents them from breeding. If two spells of freezing aren’t enough before the specimens arrive in the vault, any recalcitrant beetle will soon find itself headed for the freezers again just two floors away.

Dr Hind claimed or admitted that he is the person responsible for the reclassification of the Michaelmas Daisy within the family. Gardeners may find this confusing, however the name changes reflect advances in DNA research and increased botanical understanding.

As well as showing us specimens collected by Charles Darwin, Dr Hind shared his latest work with us. He is currently working on an article for Curtis’s Botanical magazine on Echinacea tennesseensis. This is a long-flowering plant with beautiful pink ray florets and erect stem. Inevitably, herbarium specimens lose colour in the drying process. By placing a botanical drawing alongside, Dr Hind brought the specimen’s full glory to life.

As we left the building, we were lucky to meet the talented Japanese botanical artist, Masumi Yamanaka, with her flower specimen in hand. As much we value digitisation to preserve the past, we must surely retain the breathtaking skills of botanical artists too. Digital copies can have the unfortunate habit of becoming inaccessible due to software updates. Original artworks continue to enthrall and inspire across the ages.

The tour overran, such was the enthusiasm of our expert guides. I’m looking forward to my next tour.

The Compositae tour will be repeated at 11.30am on Tuesdays in September 2018. I noted that due to popularity, the booking system for Kew’s Meet the Expert tours has changed. You now need to book a free ticket on entry via the kiosks at Victoria Gate. You can book from 10am. There are only 15 places each Tuesday so it is best to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. You will be collected from Victoria Plaza/the information desk just before or at 11.30am. Enjoy!

Previous Kew Blogs and Videos

Happy Fungus Day! –  8 October 2017 –

(NB: State of the World’s Plants Symposium 2018 to focus on fungi)

Early Spring at Wakehurst Place (+ video) – 5 March 2017

Kew’s Indian Orchid Festival (+ video) – 26 February 2017

Christmas Spectacle at Kew Gardens – 2 December 2016

From British Winter to Brazilian Tropics – 2 March 2016

Bitten by the Reading Botany Bug

The Protea represents change and hope

My regular blog followers have probably noticed that my blog has been somewhat quieter in 2017.  There's a simple explanation. I enrolled on the MSc in Plant Diversity at the University of Reading in September.

I appreciate having access to the expertise of two highly experienced botanists on the course. It is patently apparent that Dr Alastair Culham and Dr Jonathan Mitchley enjoy teaching students. Teaching does not come across as an inconvenient distraction from research work for them.They make learning about plants fun. We laugh a lot as we learn - if you don't believe me check out our #MScPlDiv Twitter hashtag.

Despite all the laughter, serious learning takes place. The field trips are undoubtedly my favourite part of the course. As a kinesthetic and visual learner, being out is the field with an expert botanical guide is great. I have discovered a whole new world with my hand lens and a microscope. As keen gardener and garden visitor, I thought I knew plants quite well beforehand. Oh my! I can't believe how much I missed that was right under my nose.

When you are learning new subjects, there are inevitably times when the going gets tough. Our botanical lecturers seem to know as much about learning psychology as they do about plants. Activities are also supported by back-up staff - including past students. I have also benefitted from the knowledge of fellow students. Our group is a mixture of nationalities, ages and backgrounds.

I'm still translating and providing transcreation services. Look out for further blogs on botanical subjects. I plan to increase my writing output in the future. In the meantime, you can read my guest blog in Alastair Culham's 2017 Advent blog series. Keep following his Advent blog for contributions from a host of expert and knowledgeable botanists in the run-up to Christmas. Alastair opened the new season with a blog on the Christmas Cherry.

Link to my Guest Blog on the Glastonbury Thorn: http://blogs.reading.ac.uk/crg/glastonbury-thorn/

Karen Andrews is a French to English marketer and marketing strategist, translator, transcreator, content writer and editor. She holds an MSc in Scientific, Technical and Medical Translation with Translation Technology from Imperial College London (2005-7). She is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists, Society for Editors and Proofreaders, Society of Authors and the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators. She can also offer your brand the value of over 15 years' expertise and experience in global marketing. 

Karen Andrews is  studying for an MSc in Plant Diversity at the University of Reading (2017-18).

Happy Fungus Day!

Unless you are a mycologist, you may not appreciate just how amazing and important fungi are. This weekend the British Mycological Society is seeking to raise awareness and interest in the fungal kingdom. I attended a Meet the Expert tour last week with Dr Martyn Ainsworth at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fascinating fungi:

• Fungi are all around us, largely hidden underground awaiting their opportunity to emerge. They spread out underground far beyond what we see on the surface. You can see evidence on Google Earth of their rings at Copenhagen Airport.
• Fungi have been reclassified. They are neither plants nor animals. They are mobile - albeit not as mobile as animals.
• If you want to identify a fungus, you need to identify the tree that is growing on, in or under. The fungi may be feeding off old roots underground if you can’t find the associated tree.
• Mycologists need to develop their sense of smell. It’s a whole new world of notes like wine – although some smells are decidedly unpleasant. Truffles are irresistible to pigs because they smell of pig pheromones.
• Fungi conduct wars on their competitors. They zap each other.
• It is claimed that Ink Caps supplied the ink for the Magna Carta.

Gardeners asked about the feared Honey Fungus. Dr Ainsworth explained that Honey Fungus is not a problem in natural woodlands. Here, competitors keep it in check. Only the unnatural environment of modern gardens let it spread unchecked.

We also heard how some fungi work in harmony with trees and plants. Given the rate at which man is using up the world’s resources, we could end up relying heavily on fungi as a food source. Researchers still have a lot to learn on how they survive.

Dr Ainsworth is working on gaining greater protection for UK fungi. Only 10 fungi have some protection at present. Some fungi are sensitive to nitrogen. Wax Caps have declined due to grassland loss.

Could the UK could end up offering fungi their last stand? What would the mushroom-loving French would think of that? What effect will Brexit have on European fungal cooperation?

Mushrooms were on the menu in Kew’s Orangery restaurant. Let’s hope that politicians and scientists won’t let Brexit get in the way of joint European efforts on fungal conservation. Timely action is needed to secure this key food source for the future.

Key Terminology

Term	Definition
chitin (n)	Tough, semi-transparent substance that is the main component of the exoskeletons of arthropods, such as the shells of crustaceans and outer body of insects. It is also found in the cell walls of fungi and algae.
fungarium (n)	Collection of preserved specimens of fungus.
lignum (n)	Woody tissue, tissue of a plant.
mycelium (n), (pl. mycelia)	Vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a thread-like to felt-like mass.
mycologist (n)	Specialist in mycology; person who studies fungi and fungal life.
mycology (n)	Branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their biochemical and genetic properties, taxonomy, use as a food source and for medicinal purposes and toxicity.
spore (n)	General term for the reproductive unit of a fungus.
symbiosis (n)	Non-parasitic relationship between living organisms to mutual benefit.

Overcoming the "curse" of technical knowledge

An origami swan - not as simple as it looks © M. Gove

An expert is very close to the technical details of his field on a daily basis. The terms become so familiar. He forgets how unfamiliar those same terms once were. This is known as the curse of knowledge.

Different target audiences

Many experts are unable to explain their subject simply. "Doing simple" feels very uncomfortable. It feels like you are "dumbing down" years of hard-earned education and painstaking research. Yet, there are many times when an expert needs to persuade or communicate with target audiences outside his field - for example:

·      to access funding and support

·      to maintain or renew existing funding

·      to influence policy-makers

·      to access the Media - both trade and non-trade press

·      to debate ethical and other issues with university management, etc

·      to work with the private sector

·      to launch and market a prototype or product

·      to seek advice from experts in other fields

·      to report on research progress

·      to present findings at international/multicultural conferences

·      to publish online, newsletters, emails, short videos, etc

·      to take advantage of the growing trend for MOOCs

·      to engage with the general public.

Academic writing

Academic writing often encourages an intellectual approach. It is seen as good to sound clever and obscure. You are supposed to sound like an expert. However, it is also said that you do not know your subject well enough if you cannot explain it simply. 

Cultural differences

There are also cultural differences in approach to academic writing. When studying in France, I remember English students being berated for a meandering style. Our writing was likened to that of the great French Renaissance philosopher Montaigne. As I loved Montaigne's essays, it felt like a compliment. However, if you wish your writing to be accepted in another culture, you have to conform to their current expectations and norms.

Rewriting

German academic writing expects the reader to find his own way. English academic writing requires clear guidance for the reader. English is the language of science. You need to publish in English if you wish to reach the widest possible audience. Rewriting can improve readability for target audiences outside the academic world. Machine translation will not convert academic German into academic English. Nor will it create material fit for 21st Century digital consumption. Greater attention needs to be paid to presentation and formatting as well as technical content.

Readability

Improving the readability of a text does not mean lowering the research's value or content. The simplest way to improve readability is to talk your subject through with someone outside your field. Explain your story and aims to them. A technical writer or professional translator is the perfect choice as they work with different target audiences on a daily basis. Their questions will help you fine-tune your material for your new audience. Your message is much more likely to be heard and understood.

Choose an expert

Simplicity may look simple. It takes time and thought. It is easy to underestimate the skill involved. It requires the hard-earned education and painstaking effort of an expert to make technical translation and writing look simple. 

If you would appreciate some expert help with your technical communications, email karen@anglicity.com or call Karen on +44 (0)20 8581 9369.

Karen Andrews runs
Anglicity Ltd. She is a

technical writer and 

translator with over

15 years' marketing

experience. Anglicity offers

marketing consultancy and

content marketing with a 

particular focus on innovation.