The publication of the Flora of Virginia in 2012 was a monumental event that provided the first comprehensive guide to Virginia’s plants since the 1700s. Covering 3,164 species, this book (and now the app!) has become an invaluable reference for botanically-minded residents. The Massey Herbarium thinks it is time to celebrate this effort!
Most events are free! Campus parking can be free with a stop at the VT Visitor Center.
HISTORY OF VIRGINIA’S FLORA
- Massey Herbarium (MAP)
- Panel display describing the history of botanical discovery in Virginia from European colonization through the present day, with focus on the original and new floras of Virginia.
- 5 February-16 March
FLORA VIRGINICA DISPLAY
- Special Collections, Newman Library (MAP)
- Original copy of the Flora Virginica (1739)
- Two illustrations featuring native plants and birds by Mark Catesby (1771)
- 5 February-16 March
- PDF advertisement
BOTANICAL BRICKS CONTEST
- Free entry online or at our contest station at the Christiansburg Library
- Build a botanical brick creation or draw or photograph a botanical brick scene! There are multiple age categories (preK-5th grade and 6th-12th grade), with Lego sets as prizes for the first, second, and third place winners in each category.
- Enter by 1 March on the contest page!
BOTANY DISCOVERY STATION
- Christiansburg Library (MAP)
- Learn about botany and plant collecting by exploring an array of hands-on objects. See what plant collecting equipment looks like, hold a museum specimen, and try posing with them in the Specimen Selfie Frame! Kids can also enter the Botanical Bricks Contest here.
- 1-28 February
BOTANY DAY
- SEEDS-Blacksburg Nature Center (MAP)
- Curator Jordan will teach about plants and museums with hands-on activities like making mini-museum specimens, native plant coloring sheets, and spinning the prize wheel!
- Sat., 10 February, 9:00am-1:00pm
BOTANY DAY WITH STEM CLUB
- Christiansburg Library STEM Club (MAP)
- Curator Jordan will teach about plants and museums with hands-on activities like making mini-museum specimens, native plant coloring sheets, and spinning the prize wheel!
- Mon., 12 February, 1:00pm-2:00pm
WINTER TREE ID WALK
- Stadium Woods (gather by the flagpole on hill behind the Washington St. tennis courts)
- Led by VT Professor of Forest Biology John Seiler
- Sat., 3 March, 10:00am-12:00pm
BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION SEMINAR*
- Hahn Horticulture Garden, register via email or phone (540) 231-5970)
- Featuring botanical artist and Flora of Virginia illustrator Lara Call Gastinger
- Thurs., 15 March, 10:00am-11:30am
- Download the seminar advertisement
BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION WORKSHOP*
- Hahn Horticulture Garden, register via email or phone (540) 231-5970)
- Hosted by botanical artist and Flora of Virginia illustrator Lara Call Gastinger
- Thurs., 15 March, 12:30pm-2:30pm
- Download the workshop advertisement
*these events have a registration fee
EXHIBIT PARTNERS
We would like to acknowledge and thank all of our exhibit partners!
VT Department of Biological Sciences
Special Collections, University Libraries
Christiansburg Library (Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library)