Pre-Columbian Horticulture topic of upcoming SFA Gardens Lecture
March 21, 2011
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The SFA Gardens at Stephen F. Austin State University will host its monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 24, in Room 110 of the Agriculture Building located at 1924 Wilson Drive. Dr. Alice Le Duc will present a lecture on pre-Columbian horticulture.
A botanist, florist and horticulturist, Le Duc recently returned to Texas from Duke University where she was public education director for the Sarah P. Duke Gardens. She has a bachelor's degree in botany from the University of California, a master's degree in ornamental horticulture from the University of Maryland and a Ph.D. in botany from the University of Texas.
Le Duc will discuss whether the Mexican appreciation for flowers and plants comes from ancient heritage or from a Spanish colonial influence. She will share examinations of the Spanish archives and the various accounts of educated native writers to show plants were of great importance to the Aztecs and all indigenous people.
The SFA Gardens Volunteers will meet at 6:15 p.m. in Room 118 of the Agriculture Building prior to the lecture to exchange gardening ideas and tips and discuss volunteer opportunities at SFA Gardens including gardening, propagation, irrigation, children's educational activities, plant sale participation and azalea trail activities. The public is invited to attend.
The Theresa and Les Reeves Garden Lecture Series is generally held the third Thursday of each month at the SFA Mast Arboretum. Refreshments are served by the SFA Gardens volunteers before the lecture, and a rare plant raffle is held afterward. The lecture is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Greg Grant at (936) 468-1863 or grantdamon@sfasu.edu.