University of Wisconsin–Madison

Botany

A greyscale electron microscopy image of a plant cell is shown on the left, the false-color rendering of the features in the EM image is shown on the right — Give most kids a basic microscope and a leaf or a drop of pond water, and they are in awe of the, well, microscopic patterns and organisms they can now see. Give a cell biologist a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and they can understand how structures within cells are organized […]

Seeing things more clearly, thanks to campus-wide microscopy effort

February 20, 2019 by Sarah Perdue

In July of 2018, a stalwart tree that had towered over the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus for generations and provided shade and residence for countless organisms was cut down. The American elm was one of the many long-standing elms in the U.S. to succumb to Dutch elm disease. Despite great […]

Elm tree conservation stayed by hybrid species research

December 12, 2018 by Tyler Fox

Imagine you are walking down a trail or a sidewalk when you come across a gorgeous flower. It’s so pretty that you want to remember what it is for later, maybe to plant in your home garden or show to a friend. So you take out your smartphone, open up […]

Gotta Catch ‘Em All: UW researchers developing plant identification app

October 11, 2017 by Mason Muerhoff

A tree shines yellow near the UW–Madison Arboretum — Each year, as August fades into September here in southern Wisconsin, it always seems to take me by surprise to see the bright greens of spring and summer subtly transition to the goldens and burgundys of autumn. The trees and prairies slowly changing their attire. “But isn’t it too soon?” […]

Why do leaves change color in the fall?

September 12, 2017 by Kelly April Tyrrell

On the walk into the Lakeshore Nature Preserve on the morning of Wednesday, July 25, to collect samples of bat poop, or guano, Kyle George, a lab worker with the United States Geological Survey, remarked on how much guano the bats produce. “It’s a lot more than you would expect,” […]

Bat poop and thirsty trees in campus preserve aids researchers

July 27, 2017 by Mason Muerhoff

Perhaps you’ve noticed: It’s spring and the Plants Are Blooming. Maybe it’s the smell of the lilacs, or the buzzing of bees. Or perhaps it’s the lush greens and bursts of color blurring your field of vision. But have you ever wondered how the landscape transitions from the brown drab of […]

Why flowers need winter

May 17, 2017 by Kelly April Tyrrell

Plants grow in the courtyard of Bascom Hall — The following is a guest post from Jill Sakai, communications director for the UW–Madison Office of Sustainability: An unassuming door off a stairway in Bascom Hall leads to a small courtyard, often overlooked even by the building’s occupants. Thanks to a student effort, there is a new reason for people […]

A “secret” garden atop Bascom Hill (and it’s edible)

August 3, 2016 by Kelly April Tyrrell

Allen Centennial Garden is the artful living laboratory and public botanical garden of the Horticulture Department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Garden serves as an outdoor classroom for UW-Madison students and the surrounding communities, providing meaningful learning opportunities for visitors of all ages. It’s also quite beautiful, as you’ll […]

Rock garden is riot of color at UW-Madison

May 24, 2016 by David Tenenbaum

Small oval leaves are glossy, deep green; columnar flower is white with reddish anthers. — Remember the pollination crisis? The decline of honeybees and other pollinators that threatens one-third of crops, including almonds and other fave fruits?

Poplars, perfumes, willows and insects: Understanding tree biodiversity

October 2, 2015 by David Tenenbaum