Workshop for adults: Exploring Rosaceae – the botanical rose family

Part 1 May 16th

In partnership with Wild Amersham, these 2 workshops for adults offer a relaxed 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). Both workshops will include a visit to the Museum Garden, to explore the Rose Family members growing there. 

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. The two workshops are linked, and you are encouraged to attend both. 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.

Workshop 1 May 16th includes an introduction to Plant Families and a look at the vegetative and floral features of Rosaceae.

Workshop 2 includes an overview of the various fruit forms (drupes, hips, achenes and pomes) of the Rose family, and we will delve into the historical significance of Rosaceae in our local area.

Workshop 2 begins by examining how fruits develop from flowers. Karen will then introduce the remarkable diversity of fruit types found within Rosaceae, including drupes, hips, achenes, pomes and the intriguing strawberry “false fruit”. You will never look at an apple or a raspberry in quite the same way again. There will be plenty of fruits available for careful observation – and for tasting, once your work is done. We will finish by exploring the historical significance of Rosaceae in our local area.