March 12th, Zarluis Mijango Ramos
Rare plants around the world
Two twisted leaves coming from a pot. This is a Welwitschia mirabilis from a green house in UIUC. A dessert plant from Namibia that can live from 1k-2k+ years. It is known as a living fossil. 
Red parasitic plant coming from the floor in the Red Woods in California, Sarcodes sanguinea 
Sequoia trees from California. Massive trees that can live for many years and incredibly fire-resistant 
Pitcher plants from the Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) Climatron. Carnivorous plants. 
Landscape photo from inside the Clmatron at MBG with some very cool tropical plants. 
Zarluis and Amorphophallus titanium with open flowers at the MBG. Plant with the tallest flower. 
Close up of Amorphophallus titanium flower 
Selfie of Zarluis and Amorphophallus titanium flower
Plants are fascinating creatures that, compared to animals, cannot move around (sessile). Along with the surrounding environment and the fact that they cannot move, plants have develope bizarre and specialised mechanisms that have allow them to establish and persist through time in most environments around the globe. During this talk, we will do a virtual trip around the world to learn about some of these different unusual adaptations that make some of these plants very unique. Understanding these adaptations not only deepens our appreciation for plants and these species but also can helps us guide some conservation efforts. After all, we cannot save what we do not know.
Zarluis Mijango Ramos is a 5th year PhD student at UT Austin. Broadly, his research entails the study of ecological and evolutionary chemical interactions using the Juglandaceae plant family (Walnuts), which includes the chemical community effect of a monodominant (O. mexicanna) species on subordinates species in western Panama, and the effect of climatic variables on the chemical evolution and intraspecific chemical variation. He is from Panama where he did his bachelors in tropical Botany and got a MS from the Plant Biology department at UIUC. Outside of research, Zarluis enjoys watching sports, spending time with his cats and foster dogs (if he has) at home and loves cycling and cooking.
Lecture Schedule
- 7:00 pm: Kid’s activities and natural history displays
- 7:15 pm – 7:45 pm: Guided tour of the Brackenridge Field Laboratory (sturdy shoes and water recommended!)
- 8:00 pm: The talk begins!
- 8:45 pm: Q&A with the speaker
📍 Location: Brackenridge Field Laboratory, 2907 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, Texas 78703
💡 No RSVP is required – just show up and enjoy!
🅿️ Free parking is available at BFL for all lecture events!
🌦️ While we aim to host all events outdoors, sometimes weather conditions or volunteer capacity may require that we move the event inside the laboratory building.
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Science Under The Stars 