Dr. Scott Zona will present the program for the October 3 meeting of the South Florida Palm Society at FTBG. It is entitled “An Introduction to Palms (and a Peek into the Future).” His presentation will consist of two parts. The first section will illustrate diversity in habitat, habit, leaves, flowers and fruits, and will introduce newcomers to the world of palms. The second will illustrate some of the upcoming changes to palm classification, including exciting new genera and species.
Scott is well-known to palm enthusiasts in southern Florida and beyond. He earned a B.S. degree in Plant Science (Horticulture) from the University of Florida, an M.S. in Botany from the University of Florida, and a Ph.D. in Botany from Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden and the Claremont Graduate University. He worked for many years as Palm Biologist at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. His longstanding interest in tropical plants has led him to explore in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, the western Pacific, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Madagascar.
Now a member of the Department of Biological Sciences at Florida International University, Scott is curator of the Wertheim Conservatory. FIU describes the conservatory as its “showcase of tropical rain forest plants from around the world with an emphasis on species that cannot ordinarily be grown in Miami’s climate. It is used for display, teaching, and as a venue for informal gatherings. The conservatory encloses approximately 2,900 square feet. It is 42 feet tall at its tallest point.”
Scott has published over 100 scientific articles and scores of popular articles in national and international magazines and journals. He currently is the co-editor of PALMS, the quarterly journal of the International Palm Society. (For information about Scott’s activities as the Learned Gardener, please see http://learnedgardener.com/home.)
Edited by Linda Apriletti, 04 September 2011 - 04:14 PM.
