Joe McMullen

Start: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 10:00 am

End: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 3:30 pm

What:  This workshop will cover the interesting and challenging topic of the identification of plants during leaf off conditions.  It is for beginners and experts alike.  Although many fail to botanize during the winter months, it is amazing what plants can be identified during this off season.  

When deciduous woody trees and shrubs shed their leaves and other parts, distinguishing scars are left behind.  These scars, along with persistent fruit from the past season, next season’s leaf and flower buds, pith characteristics, and growth form features are used to identify plant species in winter and will be covered during the workshop.

And, it is not just woody species that can be readily recognized in winter.  Many herbaceous plants will be covered as well.  Several of our ferns are winter green, while others leave behind easily identified persistent spore stalks.  Our clubmosses are also evident in winter, as they are not hidden among other ground cover.  Dried stalks, basal rosettes, and persistent parts from herbaceous flowering plants are also often easily identified.

Who: Joe McMullen, retired consultant and botanist, NYFA Board Member.

When and Where: Saturday January 18, 2025. The workshop classroom portion will be held at the Onondaga Lake Visitors Center near the NYS Fairgrounds just west of Syracuse.  The field portion will be held nearby or at a county park.  This is a one-day workshop, with the classroom portion from 10:00 to 1:00 and the field portion from 1:30 to 3:30 or so.  Lunch is on your own.

Cost: Workshop fee is $65 for NYFA members and students, and $95 for nonmembers.

Registration and Inquiries:  Participation is limited – please sign up early,  For questions please contact winterbotany@nyflora.org

NYFA Cancellation Policy: The workshop fee, minus a $20 processing fee, is refundable up to four weeks prior to the start of the workshop. No refunds for cancellations within two weeks of the start of the workshop. Alternatively, the registrant may opt to apply 50% of the fee to a future NYFA workshop to be offered in the same or following year. There will be a full refund if NYFA needs to cancel the workshop.

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