Shrubs and herbs

Between March and May, the yellow blossoms of the oxlip and common cowslip bloom in many forests and meadows. The Latin name Primula is derived from the Latin primis, which means "first" and indicates that it is one of the first plants to flower at the end of winter.

There are plenty of plant identification apps – but only few, that directly help research. The Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL has enhanced the FlorApp of the Info Flora data centre with an image recognition tool, which makes identification easier and at the same time more precise.

The nitrogen-loving stinging nettle is to be found almost everywhere. There can be few people who have never had a painful encounter with their rather unpleasant stinging hairs. This well-armed plant is not just a nuisance, however – it also has many good qualities.

Only a few experts know that dwarf-shrubs and perennial herbs show growth rings. Only little is known about the growth pattern of these plants species and about the wood anatomy.