Workshop 2: ‘The Flowers of Rosaceae, and the Amersham Museum Garden’

In partnership with Wild Amersham, this series of workshops for adults offers an introduction to the concept of a ‘Plant Family’, by exploring the Rose family, Rosaceae. This is not a family exclusively of roses – it is also home to a diverse array of other plants. These include many of our domestic fruits (Cherries, Strawberries, Apples, Raspberries), as well as garden plants (Potentilla, Spiraea, Alchemilla) and wildflowers (Wood Avens, Agrimony and Tormentil).

Under the guidance of local botanist Karen van Oostrum, you will discover why such diverse species are included within the same family. Karen will take you through the key features of plants in Rosaceae, giving you the opportunity to look carefully at the structures of leaves, flowers and fruits from a range of species.

In Workshop 2, we will begin by exploring the floral features of species within Rosaceae. Karen will explain the functions of the various parts of the flower (sepals, petals, stamens and carpels) and the various ways in which they can be arranged. A few botanical terms will be included, to help with describing these features. You will see how flower structure aids identification, with plenty of plant material available for close observation and for practising your own descriptive skills. We will finish with a visit to the Museum Garden, to explore the Rose Family members growing there. 

The three workshops link together, and you are encouraged to attend the full series. However, each is a standalone session, so you are also welcome to book them individually.

You may wish to bring a notebook and pen. A wildflower guide or hand lens can also be helpful if you have them, but there is no need to purchase these if you don’t.