Ethnobotany talk at the Gardens on Wed., Sept. 14 at noon

Dr. Don Hazlett in the field

Join Gardens’ adjunct researcher Dr. Don Hazlett for a look into the field of ethnobotany.  Dr. Hazlett will be giving the second talk in our new brown bag series: Re-search the Gardens: Meet Our Scientists. Dr. Hazlett has been instrumental in the initiation and curation of the Gardens’ ethnobotanical collection, housed within the Kathryn Kalmbach Herbarium. As part of the ethnobotany research Dr. Hazlett conducts as an adjunct researcher, he investigates Native American and Spanish common names. These common names frequently provide information not only about plant origin, but plant use and cultural importance as well.

Dr. Hazlett’s talk will be in Gates Hall from noon – 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Scientific discovery in rare plant chemistry

One of the rare Penstemon species tested

“It might be used for medicines some day” is an often-cited justification for protecting imperiled plant species when scientists are pressed to justify our work to protect species that have no perceived “use.”  And yet, it appears that no one has specifically looked at the likelihood that this is true… until now.  Dr. Don Hazlet, Adjunct Researcher with Denver Botanic Gardens and ethnobotanist, will be submitting a report to the Colorado Natural Areas Program this week of the results of his studies on the biochemistry of 80 of Colorado’s rarest plants.  
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