Why Orchids Have so Many Species?

Speaker: Dr. David Benzing

Dr. David Benzing has a Ph.D. in botany and was a professor at Oberlin College for more than 40 years. He spends his winters in Sarasota and is the Jessie B.Cox Chair of Tropical Biology at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and has written a number of books about epiphytes and tropical plants. He practices what he preaches and has been an avid orchid hybridizer and grower for a number of years. He’s a wine grower and co-owner of Vermilion Valley Vineyards (sorry, no samples) and will share his love of orchids and epiphytes.
He’ll be speaking about the many factors that play a role in determining why orchids have so many distinct species, and will be happy to take questions from the audience.
He’ll lead us through the fascinating evolution of orchids and will have copies of his books for sale and Jeff Higel, Honey Bee Nursery, will have orchids for sale.