The Beauty and Ecological Benefits of Legumes

February 27, 2015

The February 25 soiree, “
An Illuminating Look at Legumes
”, hosted by Leatherby Libraries and Schmid College of Science and Technology was a great success! The stunning artist renderings in the library showcase the variety of legumes: tiny wildflowers, woody vines and even gigantic trees all fall under the
Fabaceae
family plant species.

Kudos to Schmid College’s Biological Sciences Program Director
Dr. Jennifer Funk
who gave an engaging talk about her research and the science behind legumes. Dr. Funk’s research “…focuses on how native and exotic legumes differ in their relationships with nitrogen-acquiring bacteria. Ultimately, understating how legumes associate with different bacterial species will greatly benefit agriculture and our understanding of ecosystem function.”

Make sure to check out the exhibit of botanical art by the Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California on display in the Doy and Dee Henley Reading Room at Leatherby Libraries.

About the Guild:
The Botanical Artists Guild of Southern California is dedicated to encouraging the development of botanical art and the promotion of public awareness of this artistic tradition. Guild members are committed to improving their artistry and technical abilities. The Guild supports and sponsors workshops with local experts and visiting lecturers in areas such as drawing and painting botanical subjects, botany, calligraphy, and resources.