Fall 2012 to Spring 2013

Meetings are at one of two locations:

• Marvin Comisky Conference Center, Blank Rome LLP at One Logan Square (at the corner of 18th and Cherry Streets in Philadelphia). Enter from the 18th Street courtyard behind the Four Seasons Hotel. Finding the entrance is not straightforward, so if you have not been there before, we recommend that you take a look at our map.
• Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. Enter the Academy through the door on 19th Street near the corner with Cherry Street, and the security guard will direct you to the meeting room.

Meetings begin at 7:30 PM.

If you have an idea for a future program, please contact the Program Committee chair, David Hewitt. A list of previous meetings is available.

September 27
Members' Reports on Summer Botanizing
Members are invited to bring photos, slides, or specimens to show. If you plan to bring slides or a digital presentation, click here to e-mail us or call Janet Novak (215-248-2642) so we can arrange to have an appropriate projector.
Location: Marvin Comisky Conference Center at Blank Rome
 
October 25
The Invasive Ailanthus altissima in Pennsylvania: a Case Study Elucidating Species Introduction, Migration, Invasion, and Growth Patterns in the Northeastern U.S.
Matthew Kasson, Virginia Tech
Location: Academy of Natural Sciences
 
November 15
Urban Apiflora of the Mid-Atlantic
Charlie Nichols
Location: Marvin Comisky Conference Center at Blank Rome
 
December 20
Gesneriad-Hunting in China: Disappearing Mountains, White Bees, Venomous Caterpillars and Grandma's Chirita
Stephen Maciejewski, President of the Liberty Bell chapter of the Gesneriad Society and Grant Coordinator for the Gesneriad Conservation Center in China
Join Stephen Maciejewski as he takes us on a 15-day journey into a seldom-seen section of China. Follow him and Professor Wei Yi-Gang, author of Gesneriaceae of South China as they travel 3,000 kilometers in search of beautiful, rare and still unnamed species of gesneriads. You'll see plants never seen before: many Chiritas, other gesneriads and plants like the cave-growing iridescent blue Begonia edulis. Plus spectacular scenery, including otherworldly karst mountains, caves larger than ball parks, elaborate rice fields and quaint villages. And learn how a little caterpillar can have a unsettling effect on your plans. For those with a culinary interest, there's marijuana soup, stir-fried white bees with ginger and a lovely green slime fungus with vegetables.
After the talk will be the annual holiday party, with wine and cheese.
Location: Academy of Natural Sciences
 
January 24
Tree-Ring Analysis at Jefferson's Monticello: Current Applications to Garden and Landscape History
Daniel Druckenbrod, Assistant Professor of Environmental Sciences, Rider University (Dr. Druckenbrod's web page)
Location: Marvin Comisky Conference Center at Blank Rome
 
February 28
Origin and Diversification of Monnina, a Neotropical Genus in Polygalaceae, Fabales
Alina Freire-Fierro, Collection Manager, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
Location: Marvin Comisky Conference Center at Blank Rome
 
March 28
Biological Invasions from Three Perspectives
Jessica Gurevitch, Professor of Ecology and Evolution, SUNY Stonybrook
Location: Marvin Comisky Conference Center at Blank Rome
 
April 25
The Schuyler Lecture in North American Botany and Botanists
Early Temperate North American Botanical Collectors, 1585-1730
James Reveal, Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland (Dr. Reveal's CV)
The talk will be an illustrated presentation featuring images of early artwork and actual specimens gathered in temperate North America from the days of Sir Walter Raleigh up to the Bartram era.
Location: Marvin Comisky Conference Center at Blank Rome
 
May 23
Status of Five Critically Endangered Pennsylvania Plants
Ann Rhoads, Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
Location: Marvin Comisky Conference Center at Blank Rome
 
September 26
Members' Reports on Summer Botanizing
 
October 24
John Hall, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
 
November 21 and December 19: speakers and topics to be announced