Libby Houston

Houston, a research associate at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Bristol, has discovered several new species of whitebeam (Sorbus), one of which has been given her name.

In addition to membership in several organisations related to botany, Houston is a participant in the Avon Gorge & Downs Wildlife Project.

The award from the Linnean Society of London acknowledged her contribution to natural history, in particular, the body of knowledge of whitebeams in Britain, and the flora of Avon Gorge in Bristol, England.

Her skill at rock-climbing was essential to reach the plants, [9] including spiked speedwell[10] (Veronica spicata) and Bristol rockcress[11] (Arabis scabra).

More recently she worked with Simon Hiscock, then Professor of Botany at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Bristol, as well as with Tim Rich, then head of the vascular plant section[12] at the National Museum Wales on Avon Gorge whitebeams (Sorbus).

[9][20][21] The silver medal is awarded by the society to an "amateur naturalist who has made an important contribution to biological knowledge.