Plants for Everyone

Plants are indispensable for our lives in many ways. They are not only the base of our food but also main materials to make fabric, shelters, drugs, or cosmetics. During this event we will dive into the life of these organisms, including how they grow, reproduce, and disperse and how they may need the interaction with other plant species or other organism types to complete their vital cycles. Additionally, we will explore the ecology and adaptations that plant species have, to live under a wide range of environmental conditions.

Welcome the spring with the RCC in this outdoor event in the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard. We will enjoy a guided tour by Brad McGrath, an expert docent from the AA to learn about the history, the collections, and research endeavors of the site. After a small picnic together, we will continue learning about plants in this living laboratory thanks to plant specimens from temperate climates all around the world guided by Daniel Sánchez Mata, the RCC Director, Professor of Botany at Complutense University of Madrid.

Participants must arrive by themselves. The meeting point is on the steps of the Hunnewell Building (Visitor Center). We encourage to bring your own food and drinks for the lunch time.

Organizers: Veronica Cruz Alonso (Posdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Alcala de Henares); Daniel Sánchez Mata (Associated of Harvard University Herbaria, Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Department, Harvard University).

Sponsors: Innovative Teaching at RCC; Harvard University Herbaria; University of Alcala de Henares; Complutense University of Madrid.