The 12 Plants of Christmas – Wreaths, Raisins and Roasties!

This illustrated online talk will delve into the wonderfully rich world of Christmas customs and folklore, past and present.

Via 12 carefully chosen plants, it’ll be a trip around the World in the pursuit of warming spices, a forage in the woods for plants much closer to home and then right into your kitchen cupboards for some fabulously festive flavours.

The 12 plants are:

● Holly ● Poinsettia

● Ivy ● Cranberry

● Grapes/vine ● Mistletoe

● Potato ● Oranges, clementines, satsumas

● Cloves and other spices ● Spruce tree

● Chestnuts (and other nuts) ● Brussels sprouts

Michael Holland, FLS

Michael Holland studied Ecology at Lancaster and Oregon State Universities and is a keen photographer, wildlife gardener and all-round composting nerd! Michael had a 25-year career at the eminent Chelsea Physic Garden in London, latterly as Head of Education for over 17 years. He has taught tens of thousands of people, aged 2 to 92, about the natural world. A Fellow of the Linnean Society of London and the London Environmental Educators’ Forum (LEEF) he has spoken at a number of global conferences; a highlight being invited to lecture at a botanical garden in Japan.

He has also appeared on a number of television and radio shows and podcasts about plants and history (including Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Channel 5’s ‘The Thames: Britain’s Great River’ series with Tony Robinson and Mr Plant Geek’s Plant-Based Podcast to name a few). His recent book ‘I Ate Sunshine for Breakfast’ is a colourful compendium of plants and ethnobotany aimed at children and families.

Tickets – Donation please

The SLBI is a registered charity for botanical education. It supports people of all ages and backgrounds in learning about plants. By making a donation with your booking you will help to sustain our work with school children, families and the wider community. As a small charity, any amount you can give, large or small, will be warmly appreciated and make an enormous difference. Thankyou.

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