From modest dandelions to extravagant orchids, the people of Essex have been reporting thousands of wildflower species since 2022 for scientific research. 

The Essex BioBlitz, now in its fourth year, was established to collect data on flowering plants when they’re in bloom – a key indicator to determine how timings are changing in the environment. The project will run for 10 years in total, so that we can understand if, and how, climate change impacts local flora.

The project relies on members of the public submitting wildflower observations from April – September, so that we can cover as much of Essex as possible.

Over 850 different flowering plant species have been reported this year alone, using a free app called iNaturalist. Rare and unusual wildflower species have been documented through the project, with notable additions including crested cow-wheat, an endangered plant only found in East Anglia, lizard orchids and hedge woundwort.

Let’s take a look at some of the wildflowers spotted so far this year…

David Clark, Lecturer in the School of Life Sciences at The University of Essex, says:

 “When we started this project, we set ourselves the goal of obtaining 2,000 observations. We have now passed 100,000 observations for the project as a whole – what a fantastic achievement by Essex’s naturalists! Each record will help us better understand the potential impact of climate change on Essex’s biodiversity, and to predict what we might see in the future for wider swathes of the UK.”

Gemma Cosson, Campaigns Officer at Essex Wildlife Trust, says:

“It is truly remarkable to see the enjoyment people are getting from wildflower hunting. During the spring and summer months, wildflower species constantly pop up – you can always spot something exciting and new when you’re exploring the natural world. This campaign is open to everyone and we’d love to welcome new BioBlitzers before the end of the summer.” 

Sue Huggett, Essex Wildlife Trust volunteer and participant in The Essex BioBlitz, says:

 “I’ve found it great fun taking part - almost addictive! It’s really easy to use iNaturalist, and it’s great to receive confirmations from others in the community that you have made a correct ID.”

Find out more about The Essex BioBlitz