Workshop 3: ‘The Fruits of the Rose Family, and the local significance of Rosaceae’

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 3, we start with looking at how fruits develop from flowers. Karen will then introduce the remarkable diversity of fruit types found within Rosacee, including drupes, hips, achenes, pomes and the intriguing strawberry ‘false fruit’. You will never look at an apple or a raspberry in 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 delving into the historical significance of Rosaceae in our local area.

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.