Avena Collection

Cereal grains
Wheat, Triticum aestivum 1, rye, Secale cereale 2, barley, Hordeum distichon 3, and oats, Avena sativa 4. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Friedrich Johann Bertuchs Bilderbuch fur Kinder

Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) at the nest amongst Black oats (Avena strigosa) North Uist, Scotland, UK, July

Sequence of strips of cultivated Machair with early shoots of Black oats (Avena strigosa) pushing through the sand. North Uist, Scotland, UK, June

Two Little terns (Sterna albifrons) at the nest amongst Black oats (Avena strigosa) growing on shell rich sands Machair, North Uist, Scotland, UK, June

Little tern (Sterna albifrons) at the nest amongst Black oats (Avena strigosa) growing on shell rich sands Machair, North Uist, Scotland, UK, June

Ear of grain in a field of Oats -Avena-, Hallertau area, Mainburg, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Common agricultural grasses (litho)
6013793 Common agricultural grasses (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Common agricultural grasses)

Species of oats (litho)
6013683 Species of oats (litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Species of oats. Illustration for The Harmsworth Encylopaedia (c 1922).); © Look and Learn

Maize or corn, Zea mays, and oats, Avena sativa. Handcoloured woodblock engraving of a botanical illustration from Adam Lonicers Krauterbuch, or Herbal, Frankfurt, 1557

Oats, Avena sativa. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Dr. Willibald Artus Hand-Atlas sammtlicher mediinisch-pharmaceutischer Gewachse, (Handbook of all medical-pharmaceutical plants), Jena, 1876

Curtis British Entomology Plate 625
Hemiptera: Livilla ulicis Curtis [Plant: Helictotrichon pubescens (Avena or Trisetum pubescens, Downy Oat-grass)] Date: 1824-39

Strips of cultivated Black oats (Avena strigosa), grown by crofters, who create sillage and feed it to their cattle in the winter. Berneray, North Uist, Scotland, UK, July

Field of Oats -Avena-, Hallertau area, Mainburg, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Cereals engraving 1895
Meyers Konversations-Lexikon. Ein Nachschlagewerk des allgemeinen Wissens, 5th edition 17 volumes Bibliographisches Institut - Leipzig 1895-1897

Oat (Avena sativa)
Antique illustration of oat (Avena sativa)

Ms Fr. Fv VI #1 fol. 153r Illustration from the Book of Simple Medicines
XJL212056 Ms Fr. Fv VI #1 fol.153r Illustration from the Book of Simple Medicines by Mattheaus Platearius (d.c.1161) c.1470 (vellum) by Testard, Robinet (fl.1470-1523); 26x35.5 cm; National Library

Picture No. 11050631
Oat Field ripe oat crop Summer Biosphere Reserve Schwaebische Alb, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, Europe Date:

Picture No. 10896568
Wild Oat - Seeds (Avena fatua) Date:

Farmer pulling Wild Oats (Avena sp. ) weeds from unripe Barley (Hordeum vulgare) crop, Sweden
Farmer pulling Wild Oats (Avena sp.) weeds from unripe Barley (Hordeum vulgare) crop, Sweden

Oats
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of oats, artificially coloured by computer

Oats
A scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of oats, artificially coloured by computer

Lonchura punctulata, scaly-breasted munia
Plate 32, watercolour by Margaret Bushby Lascelles Cockburn from her Neilgherry birds and Miscellaneous, (1858)

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Avena, also known as oats, is a versatile cereal grain that plays a significant role in various ecosystems. In North Uist, the presence strigosa, commonly referred to as Black oats, attracts the elegant Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) to build its nest amidst the lush vegetation. The sequence of cultivated Machair strips adorned with early shoots of Black oats showcases nature's resilience and beauty. As we observe two Little Terns at their nests surrounded by Black oats, it becomes evident how this grain provides both shelter and sustenance for these graceful birds. The growth strigosa intertwines with the terns' habitat, creating a harmonious coexistence between flora and fauna. In Bavaria's Hallertau area in Germany, Avena sativa stands tall in vast fields. An ear of grain proudly represents the hard work put into cultivating this crop. Its golden hue symbolizes abundance and prosperity for farmers who rely on this staple cereal. A lithograph depicting common agricultural grasses highlights Avena's significance among other species. This versatile grain holds its own place within the botanical world due to its nutritional value and adaptability. The combination of Maize or corn (Zea mays) alongside oats demonstrates how different grains can complement each other agriculturally. Farmers recognize that diversifying their crops leads to healthier soil and improved yields. Curtis British Entomology Plate 625 captures an intricate ecosystem where insects thrive amongst oat plants. It serves as a reminder that Avena not only supports avian life but also acts as a vital component in sustaining insect populations critical for pollination. Finally, we witness crofters growing strips of Black oats through silage creation—a traditional practice rooted in sustainable agriculture methods passed down through generations. These strips provide nourishment for livestock during winter months while preserving precious resources. From attracting wildlife to supporting human livelihoods, Avena proves its worth time and time again.