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Sedona Lecture Series Features Poisonous Plants of the Colorado Plateau February 9

(Flagstaff, Ariz.) February 2, 2015 – The Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) and the Sedona Muses present “Mean Green–Poisonous Plants with Dr. Gwendolyn Waring,” Monday, February 9, at 7 p.m. The lecture is the second in the organizations’ monthly series running through April at the Sedona United Methodist Church, 110 Indian Cliffs Road. Tickets are $6 for MNA and Sedona Muses members and $7 for nonmembers and are available for purchase at MNA, Bashas’ in Sedona, Weber’s IGA at the Village of Oak Creek, or at the door beginning at 6:30 p.m. the evening of the event.

Native plant expert and ecologist Dr. Gwendolyn Waring will discuss the region’s surprising variety of poisonous plants, their beneficial and toxic effects, the evolutionary history of the relationship of plants and animals, and interactions between flowering plants and insect herbivores.

Waring is a scientist and artist based in Flagstaff, Ariz. She has a PhD in biology with an emphasis on plant-animal interaction and approaches her research as an evolutionary ecologist. She is currently identifying plants that are associated with critical habitats, such as springs, in northern Arizona.

“This season’s presenters provide great insight into the potentially dangerous flora and fauna that call the Colorado Plateau home,” said Sedona Muses board member Rebecca DeVault. “This lecture series is a wonderful way to learn about the incredible biodiversity of the region.”

Upcoming Lectures

March 9, 2015 Snakes and Lizards—Hisssss! with Dr. Steven Carothers & Tanner Carothers

April 13, 2015 Ants — From Fatal to Fantastic with Dr. Gary Alpert

 

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