John de la Parra, PhD, Associate, Harvard University Herbarium and Ethnobotanist , will speak at noon at the Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries, 22 Divinity Avenue in Cambridge, on Ethnobotony at Harvard.

Historically, plants have provided humans with most of our drugs, fibers, food, dyes, perfumes, building materials, and even musical instruments. But how has this diverse and fascinating field been studied and what has been learned?

In fact, for over 100 years, Harvard has played a pivotal role in the study of human-plant interactions, leading to the creation of the field of ethnobotany.

In this interactive lecture we will explore the science and history of some of the most important Harvard botanists and explorers through their unique specimens  now housed in the Harvard University Herbarium.

Fee: $20 Arboretum member, $30 nonmember. Phone 617-384-5277 for more information.