It's AGM time!
- Stay tuned for details.
- ALSO: Cupcakes!
MEETING TALK:
The Cape Floristic Kingdom:
Plant Biodiversity Hotspot and Horticultural Motherlode
The Cape Floristic region is located at the southern tip of Africa and is the smallest of the six recognized floristic kingdoms of the world. Despite being a relatively small area, the Cape is home to an astounding 9000 species of flowering plants of which 69% are endemic, including 12 families. The region experiences a Mediterranean climate, with wet winters and hot dry summers, and this has promoted an extraordinary diversity of geophytes (plants with bulbs and corms) and succulents.
Many well-known ornamental groups originated from the Cape and during this talk, SPENCER BARRETT will include examples of some of the most popular, including members of the Proteaceae, Ericaceae, Geraniaceae and Iridaceae. South Africans take a keen interest in their botanical heritage and we will visit several wildflower reserves to view the stunning spring wildflower displays, which were unsurpassed in 2024.
We will also visit three (3) botanic gardens at Kirstenbosch, Clan William and Worcester and delve into their diverse botanical collections. Finally, Spencer will provide a brief summary of research on the evolution and function of mirror-image flowers that I have been conducting in the Cape over the past three years with a multinational group of botanists.
(Photo by Spencer Barrett - Western Cape 2024)
ABOUT THIS MONTH'S SPEAKER:
SPENCER C.H. BARRETT is Emeritus University Professor and former Canada Research Chair in Evolutionary Genetics in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto where he has been a faculty member for 45 years, and has trained around 50 graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. For his pioneering work on the reproductive biology and genetics of plants he was elected to the Royal Societies of Canada and London (U.K.), and the National Academy of Sciences, USA. Spencer loves gardening and plant exploration and has been fortunate during his career to have worked in many of the world’s floristic hotspots. He is currently working on research projects in China and the Cape Region of South Africa and, with the help of his wife Suzanne, maintains two gardens, one in Toronto and the other in the English countryside at Kintbury, Berkshire.
MEETING LOCATION & TIME:
- The meeting will start EARLY for the short AGM at 7:00 PM. Arrive after 6:15 PM for refreshments and socializing.
- We will be meeting in person at Bonar Parkdale Presbyterian Church, 250 Dunn Ave, just South of Queen Street West.
- We will also be holding the meeting online through Zoom. Members will be sent the link in the newsletter in the week leading up to the meeting.
Not A Hort Member Yet?
- Non-Hort members are welcome to attend in-person for a suggested donation of $5 or Pay-What-You-Can. To join the meeting online, please contact info@parkdaletorontohort.com.
