Spring Wildflower Walk with Dr. David Clarke

Sunday, April 12 2026, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Meet at the Asheville Botanical Garden Visitor's Center(outdoor class)

Enjoy the beauty of spring ephemerals and gain insight into the world of botanical science! Join Dr. David Clarke for this lively outdoor class, as he shares his in-depth botanical knowledge of the plants we encounter. You'll get a new perspective on familiar plants and explore questions such as why are some of the closest relatives of our native plants found in Siberia and East Asia? What does the horsetail (Equisetum) have to tell us about climate change? Are box turtles a good choice for dispersing fruits? What is the function of the hairs that form where veins join on the underside of oak leaves? Which plant in the Garden is the related to the source of a toxin used by the FSB (erstwhile KGB)? This is an outdoor class, so dress for the weather, and bring your sense of curiosity!

David Clarke is a botanist and Professor of Biology at UNCA, where he has taught for more than 20 years. He has taught 24 different courses, most of them focused on plant diversity, conservation, ecology, and evolution. He particularly enjoys teaching field courses that take advantage of the high-quality natural areas of the Craggy Mountains. He served on the board of the ABG for 20 years.

COST : $35 for non-members, 25% off for ABG Members

CLASS SIZE : 15

**ABG MEMBERS: to apply your member discount, enter the discount code: CLASSES25 at the checkout page. **