Boston Flora

Tag: Neela De Zoysa

  • Saturday, June 3, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Floodplain Forests

    Floodplains have special plants that are adapted to inundation and fluctuating water levels. Join The Native Plant Trust and Neela de Zoysa an easy walk in the Greenways Conservation Area in Wayland, Massachusetts, on June 3 at 1 pm, to observe the vegetation of a typical small-river floodplain with nearly half a mile of shoreline accessible to the Sudbury River. This stretch of the river is federally designated as a wild and scenic river and has beautiful stands of silver maple (Acer saccharinum), basswood (Tilia americana), swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), red maple (Acer rubrum), and shrub swamps of buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). $30 for NPT members, $36 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/floodplain-forests/

  • Mondays, May 1 – May 22, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Eastern – Wildflowers of New England, Live and Online

    This Native Plant Trust Live virtual course provides a comprehensive introduction to native plants, including their identification, ecology, and conservation. We explore New England’s native plants by studying key identification features of flowers, leaves, and stems; family characteristics; growth patterns; pollinators; seed dispersers; and habitats. You will learn basic botanical skills and tools for identifying wildflowers and study pollination and coevolution of flower structure and design, habitats and ecology, and conservation concerns. (This course is also offered in-person). Neela de Zoysa leads the four Monday sessions, May 1 – 22. $216 for NPT members, $264 for nonmembers. Register at www.nativeplanttrust.org Once registered, students will receive an automatic email containing details about the course and their receipt. These details may include pre-class readings, handouts, an access link, or directions to field sites. A reminder email will be sent out 1 week in advance.

    Common Groundnut courtesy Go Botany

  • Thursday, April 6, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm Eastern – New England Climbers, Online

    Native climbers are an ecologically and taxonomically varied group of plants. They range from rare and vulnerable species, such as Allegheny vine (Adlumia fungosa) and the American climbing fern (Lygodium palmatum, pictured below) to those proliferating due to forest fragmentation and warming climate, such as wild grapes (Vitis spp) and poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). Learn about 50 climbers and become familiar with identification characteristics. This Native Plant Trust class will take place online on April 6 from 3 – 6 led by Neela de Zoysa. NPT members $60, nonmembers $72. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/new-england-climbers-2/ Please note: We do not make video or audio recordings of classes or programs available after the fact, because we believe education is interactive, with instructors and students building a community and culture of learning. Some programs may be recorded strictly for instructor-training purposes.

  • Wednesday, March 22, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm Eastern – Orchids of New England Webinar

    Orchidaceae is one of the largest plant families in the world, and there are 50 orchid species native to New England, from showy lady’s slipper (Cypripedium reginae) to rose pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides). While some species are common, many are of conservation concern. This session with Neela de Zoysa on March 22 from 12:30 – 3:30 provides context for understanding native orchid habitats, diversity, and conservation issues. You will learn identification techniques, pollination strategies, and life-cycle stages for native orchids. This class is now offered as a webinar, and is $60 for NPT members, $72 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/orchids-new-england/. Please note: We do not make video or audio recordings of classes or programs available after the fact, because we believe education is interactive, with instructors and students building a community and culture of learning. Some programs may be recorded strictly for instructor-training purposes.

    Galearis spectabilis

  • Thursdays, June 16, 23, & 30, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Plant Families, In Person

    What are the underlying evolutionary relationships and patterns in plants? In this Native Plant Trust class, we use both microscopic and field investigation to decipher the clues to familial relationships and classifications of the region’s plants. You will learn botanical terms to describe plants and flowers, the evolutionary/phylogenetic basis for classification, and the identifying characteristics for several major plant families common to New England. The three classes will be held at Garden in the Woods in Framingham on June 16, 23, & 30 from 12:30 – 4:30, and will be taught by Neela de Zoysa. $216 for NPT members, $264 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/plant-families-person/

  • Monday, April 25 – Monday, September 12 – Plant Families, Self-Paced, Online

    What are the underlying evolutionary relationships and patterns in plants? In this Native Plant Trust online foundational course, you will learn the botanical terms used to describe plants and flowers, the evolutionary/phylogenetic basis for classification, and the identifying characteristics for several major plant families common to New England. With diagrams, images, and further resources offered to reinforce the concepts, you will apply the new material through indoor and outdoor assignments and peer forums. This Basic Certificate online core course is self-paced; a facilitator will guide you in your learning, review your assignments, and answer your questions. Click here to download the syllabus. It typically takes at least 12 hours to complete. Taught by Neela de Zoysa, the class is available April 25 – September 12.

    $150 for NPT members, $200 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/plant-families/

  • Thursday, February 3, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Predatory Plants, Online

    Insectivorous and parasitic plants have evolved nutritional modes that are unlike the rest of the plant world, where self-sufficiency is the norm. This Native Plant Trust online class on February 3 from 1 – 4 covers more familiar pitcher plants, sundews, and dodder vines as well as lesser known groups such as the bladderworts and broom rapes (pictured below). Learn about the habitats, unusual life cycles, and curious behavior of these New England plants. Led by Neela de Zoysa, the class is $45 for NPT members, $54 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/predatory-plants/

  • Thursday, July 22, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Milkweeds and Dogbanes

    Milkweeds (Asclepias) are some of the most attractive and fragrant wildflowers, and they are magnets for butterflies and pollinators. Learn about their special relationship with monarch butterflies, complex flower structure, ingenious pollination strategy, and protective chemical arsenal. This Native Plant Trust class at Garden in the Woods in Framingham on July 22 at 12:30 will help you identify the common and rare species and recognize their surprising range of habitats. You will also learn tips for milkweed cultivation and discuss the dangers that threaten this native plant.$60 for members and $72 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/milkweeds-and-dogbanes/

  • Saturday, June 5, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Gowing’s Swamp

    One of Thoreau’s beloved landscapes, referenced often in his writings, Gowing’s Swamp is a rare and beautiful bog in a kettle hole tucked away below a glacial ridge. On June 5 at 1, Native Plant Trust will walk the loop around the bog in Sudbury and explore the thriving community of northern bog plants such as pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea), bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia), bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia), small cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), large cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), and black spruce (Picea mariana). We will observe the many vernal pools and the bird and mammals in this unusual habitat. Neela de Zoysa leads, and the field trip is $30 for NPT members, $36 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/gowings-swamp/

  • Thursday, July 23, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm – New England Vines Webinar

    Vines and climbers are an ecologically important and varied group of plants in New England. This Native Plant Trust online session on July 23 from 10:30 – 2:30 covers the diversity of native vines through 50 climbers that vary widely in their size, form, and adaptations. You will become familiar with adaptations to climbing, groups of climbing plants, and vine identification tools and features. Neela de Zoysa leads the session. $60 for NPT members, $72 for nonmembers. Register at http://www.nativeplanttrust.org/events/new-england-vines/

    Wild Yam