Capsella

The BSBI's learning platform.

Home to the Identiplant,
Foundations in Plant ID and
Plants are Green online courses.

A space for learning

The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland is for everyone who is interested in the flora of Britain and Ireland. Our training resources, courses and events are designed to support botanists of all skill levels to advance their knowledge of wild plants.

For full details of our training offering, visit our main website. Capsella, this site, acts as our learning platform, where those undertaking a structured training course can access content and information about their course.

Our courses

Identiplant

For those who want to get started with serious botany; ready to advance from identification by matching pictures and memorising names, to a systematic approach, using scientific names, written descriptions and keys. Supported by dedicated tutors. The Identiplant course is fully subscribed for 2026.

Foundations in Plant ID

A self-led introduction to the botanical terminology required for systematic plant identification which introduces you to the diagnostic features of some large recognisable plant families. This year-long course combines theoretical learning with hands-on observations of living plants growing on your doorstep. Note, this course is invite-only.

Plants are Green

An introduction to the intricacies of how plants function, combining theoretical learning with hands on, fun and easy practical experiments which bring the subject to life. This is not a course on plant identification, ecology or horticulture, but it provides an understanding of basic plant biology which underlies all these disciplines.