The subject of the January 10, 2023 meeting is “Central Florida Native Orchids”, presented by James Stevenson. Orchids are one of the most successful of the families of flowering plants. This means there are thousands of different species found all over the world.
This presentation will explore the wild orchids of Central Florida, their identification and ecology. You will be surprised to learn where and how our native orchids survive in our state! The presentation will be about identification and ecology, not about cultivation.
James is an Extension Specialist with the University of Florida IFAS Extension Services in Pinellas County; he works out of the Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center in Tarpon Springs. There he teaches classes on a variety of natural resource conservation topics, including: plant identification, botany, entomology, ecology and particular groups of native plants such as orchids. Exploring the natural world has been James’ passion since growing up in Clearwater.
He received his Bachelor’s degree in Plant Ecology from the University of the South in Sewanee, TN and then worked in botanical gardens around the world; from North Carolina to Europe & Israel. Before returning to Florida in 2006, James worked in the UK on his advanced degree at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and as the Assistant Curator at the University of Oxford Botanic Garden. James doesn’t really understand gardening in Florida, so he now grows orchids and watches birds!
Meetings of the Chapter are free, and all interested parties are invited to attend and bring questions about their yard. There will be light refreshments. Telephone inquiries are taken by Molly at (813) 469-9597.
Nature Coast Chapter: naturecoastfnps@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PascoNativePlants
The Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM at The Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd/US 41, Land O’ Lakes, 34639, between SR 52 and SR 54.