Boston Flora

Tag: Botanist

  • Friday, December 6, 6:45 pm – Conifer Swamps of Central and Western Massachusetts

    Glenn Motzkin, botanist/ecologist, will address the New England Botanical Club on Friday, December 6, beginning at 6:45 at Harvard University, in the Haller Lecture Hall (Room 102), Geological Museum, 24 Oxford Street in Cambridge.  The door is to the right of the Harvard Museum of Natural History entrance.

    Glenn Motzkin is a plant ecologist interested in patterns of species distribution, vegetation dynamics, disturbance history, and the application of historical ecology to conservation in New England. Glenn has studied a wide range of natural communities, with particular interests in the history and dynamics of uncommon communities that support rare species and are priorities for conservation. Glenn is currently an independent ecological consultant, having previously worked as Plant Ecologist at Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA. Glenn serves as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program.

    He received his BA in American Civilization, Brown University (1982)  and an MS in Forest Ecology at University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1990).

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  • Monday, May 23, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – The Allure of Orchids

    Why do so many people collect and obsess about orchids?  Botanical artist and botanist Carol Govan has been researching and drawing the orchids in the Wellesley College Ferguson Greenhouse collection, and has many images to present: orchids that look like pterodactlys, cow horns, slippers, oxen yokes, and other fabulous shapes and colors.  She has stories to share about orchid mania and the wars among unscrupulous nurseries and plant hunters.  From ecology and botany to literary references and representation in botanical art, Carol will reveal an orchid’s allure.  Come to the Wellesley College Botanic Garden to hear Carol (a popular past Garden Club of the Back Bay speaker) on Monday, May 23, beginning with tea at 2 and the illustrated lecture at 2:30.  $10 for WCFH members, $15 general public. To register, log on to www.wellesley.edu/WCFH.

  • Saturday, February 12, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon – Magnificent Magnolias for Northern Gardens

    Magnolias are without doubt the most spectacular flowering trees that can be grown in temperate climates. Luckily for gardeners, the genus Magnolia is going through a “golden age” of new plant development. The result is rapidly expanding options for cold-climate gardens. Come to  the Berkshire Botanical Garden on Saturday, February 12 from 10:30 – noon and see some of these gorgeous new hybrids, some old favorites that still deserve planting, and see what beauty may result if you try growing your own magnolias from seed. Your garden (and your life) may never be the same!

    Stefan Cover works at Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology where he studies North American ants. He moonlights as a botanist/gardener with special interest in ornamental woody plants, especially magnolias. He runs the international seed exchange for the Magnolia Society and cultivates many of these lovely trees in his Zone 5B frost-pocket garden in Stow, Mass. $20 BBG members, $25 non members. To register, log on to www.berkshirebotanical.org.

  • Sunday, April 11, 2:00 pm – Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast

    Our cities and towns may seem harsh and unwelcoming to vegetation, but in the new field guide, Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast by Harvard botanist Peter Del Tredici, he details the spectacular array of plants that grow spontaneously in sidewalk cracks, flourish along chain-link fences, and line the banks of streams and rivers. Del Tredici will discuss the valuable ecological roles these plants play, from carbon storage and erosion control to providing food for wildlife. Co-sponsored with the Arnold Arboretum.  He will also sign copies of his book.

    Location:
    Harvard Museum of Natural History
    26 Oxford St.
    Cambridge , MA 02138

    Sponsor: Harvard Museum of Natural History, Arnold Arboretum
    Time(s): 2:00 pm, Sunday, April 11.
    Cost: Free with museum admission. Free to HMNH and Arnold Arboretum members
    Phone: 617-495-3045
    Email: hmnhpr@oeb.harvard.edu
    http://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/lectures_and_special_events/index.php

    http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2004/11.04/photos/15-arboretum1.jpg

  • Sunday, August 9, 10:00 a.m. – Botanizing Killingworth Bog

    Field trips are a long standing tradition of the Connecticut Botanical Society.  They provide an opportunity to learn about plants and habitats from some the area’s most knowledgeable botanists, and an opportunity to share your own knowledge with others.  The trips also add to the bank of knowledge of New England flora.  On each field trip. a list is made of all plant species identified, and this list becomes part of the Society’s records.  The Connecticut Botanical Society encourages the gardening public to participate in the botanizing of Killingworth Bog in Killingworth, Connecticut, led by Penni Sharp, CBS botanist.  This bog is a unique habitat for orchids, sundews, pitcher plants, and other interesting species.  Expect wet feet – boots are recommended.  For field trips, wear sturdy footwear and bring a lunch.  Sunscreen and insect repellant are also recommended.  For plant identification, you may wish to bring a field guide(s), a hand lens, and a small notebook.  Familiarity with plant taxonomy is helpful, but not required.  No pre-registration is required.  Free to CBS members.  Non-members must pay a $15 fee, which includes a one-year membership in CBS, and entitles you to join future trips this season at no additional cost.  For more information and directions, call 203-484-0134, or log on to www.ct-botanical-society.org.

  • Tuesdays, March 2 – April 6, 6:30 – 8:30 pm – The Plant Kingdom: An Overview

    Join K.N. Gandhi, Botanist at the Harvard University Herbaria, for this six session introductory course in botany, beginning March 2 at 6:30 pm.  Through lectures and work in the laboratory, Dr. Gandhi will provide a deeper understanding of the plant kingdom, from the simple plants to those that are highly evolved. He will outline the structure and reproduction of bacteria, cyano-bacteria, algae (fresh water and marine), fungi, moss, ferns, pines, and flowering plants. You will learn about the fundamental differences in the plant structure of these groups and also their capabilities in reproducing both sexually and asexually. The role of xylem, phloem, fruits, and seeds in the success of flowering plants will be discussed.
    Fee $165 Arnold Arboretum member, $200 nonmember.  For additional information, and to register, log on to www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

    http://www.feenixx.com/science/images/large-a112-plant-kingdom2-306-8x12x72.jpg