Botanical Adventures Come to a Close

Botanical Adventures Come to a Close

We returned from the field trip on Monday, a little worn out, bug-bitten, and full of plant knowledge.  I’m not saying there was too much plant talk, but now being back in the city, I can’t help but identify a Rubiaceae in the back of a coffee shop, or a the famous purple BIgnoniaceaes on the street. We were given the day off on Tuesday to start our research papers, which, to be honest, feels a bit backwards after having spent a week with only our knives and magnifying glasses as our only research tools in the rainforest. The final research assignment was open-ended enough for the kids to delve into whatever interesting concept their hearts desired- as long as it pertained to botany of course, and the students have gotten very creative. From carnivorous plants, to the acceptance of Nightshade in the Victorian era, to squash used to make instruments, we seemed to have covered it all!

On Wednesday we met at Crespo for a riveting class about how to define a species, which is apparently a rather controversial topic! Michael taught us about the history of species' classification and how its been rather disputed over time what a species actually is. After the power point we had some one-on-one action with species classification as we examined plants that were all from the surrounding area. Who knew that you could find so many species within just a five-minute walk, the biodiversity of Oaxaca is really quite spectacular! After a week of a more relaxed class schedule we met on Thursday at Solexico for the last time. Michael presented to us about his current botanical research! His research centers around ferns and distinguishes between the taxonomic characteristics of various fern species. While the topic may put the average college student to sleep, it was clear to all of us the passion that Michael has for his research, and it was interesting to see what it really means to be a botanist! This Sunday Michael is actually leaving Oaxaca City to venture off into Oaxacan forests and continue his research on Mexican fern biodiversity!

 We wrapped up the botany course with a tour of el Jardín Etnobotánico de Oaxaca, Oaxaca’s Ethnobotanical Garden, a summary of the climatic and topographic variations of the biodiverse Oaxaca state and cultural tidbits about the plants. Before we began the tour, our guide Diego graciously offered us all sombreros to shade us from the already searing sun (at 9:00 in the morning). As we wandered through the arid valley, temperate forest, and cloud forest, we encountered the wedding tree, named for its prickly stems, and the gringo tree, whose red bark peels like a tourist without sufficient sunscreen. In one courtyard, what seemed to be merely aesthetically arranged stones was actually a water catchment system that collects enough rainwater during the wet season to nourish the plants that represent the more humid regions, even throughout the city’s dry season.

-Julia, Lilly, & Maggie