Dry environments present special challenges to the survival of plants. In this class, we will examine features of plant morphology, anatomy, physiology, and ecology that allow plants to acquire and conserve water, protect themselves from extreme heat and light radiation, avoid herbivory, and reproduce successfully. We will also look at adaptations to fire, which is common in some dry biomes.

John Chau (Plant Curator at Filoli Historic House and Garden) will be leading this lecture.  He has a Ph.D. in plant systematics from the University of Washington, where he studied evolution in the genus Buddleja. He conducted botanical fieldwork in North and South America, Africa, and Asia.

Please note that this will be a live Zoom lecture and not a lecture at the Garden. After registration (see below), you will receive instructions and a Zoom link from the Program Director one day prior to the lecture. Registration will open 15 August 2023 and close on 28 October 2023 at 8am.  This class is part of the Dry Garden Botany Certificate Program series.

How it works: Register one person with one email at a time. If you would like to register multiple people, please register them each separately with separate emails.  The webinar will be recorded and all registrants will receive a recording link via email within one business day.  Once the recording is sent, you will have seven days to watch the lecture. Access to the webinar recordings after the expiration date will be a charge of $15 (members) / $30 (non-members).

Cancellation and refund policy can be found here.

Photo by John Chau- Clark Mountains, Mojave Desert, California.