Botany Classes

Do you have a desire to be closer to nature? Take a botany class and gain a deeper understanding of how plants connect us to the natural world. Botanical studies explore all aspects of plant growth and development, plant communities, and the role of plants in ecosystems. At the everyday level, botany can be your gateway to herbal healing, foraging for wild edibles, cross-cultural understanding, or just a deeper appreciation of nature's seasonal beauty.

Click here for an overview of the Certificate Program.


September

Learn how to analyze the diversity of fruits and seeds, along with their dispersal mechanisms. By doing so, you'll reveal a fascinating aspect of plant biology and better understand the critical role that plants play in their ecosystems.
271BOT342O 09/08 Tu 10:00am-12:30pm Bijkerk
ONLINE

Explore the myriad structures and diverse life cycles of plants, algae, fungi, and bacteria. Discover how and why scientists have divided and classified these organisms.
271BOT317O 09/17 Th 6:30pm-9:30pm Alvarez
ONLINE

In autumn our native Northeast flora can be spectacular, but difficult to identify. With a 10X power hand lens and a plant key, you'll learn to identify these wildflowers, shrubs, and trees on the Garden grounds.
271BOT331 09/17 Th 10:00am-1:00pm Slowik
NYBG

In NYC, fall is the best time to hunt for edible fungi. Paul Sadowski, 25-year veteran of the NY Mycological Society, will lead a mushroom hunt, and show you how to identify many species and their look-alikes, where to find more...
271BOT368 09/18 Fr 10:00am-1:00pm Sadowski
NYBG

From the field to the folder, this course covers the essentials of making museum quality preserved plant specimens suitable for research, education and the decorative arts. Learn the technique and skills for collecting and preserving plants of your interest, wild more...
271BOT338 09/30 We 10:00am-1:00pm Tyson-Strait
NYBG

Examine the political ecology of trees; their use and abuse in history, and how these woody plants have shaped our world. In this historical survey, you'll gain a renewed perspective of the role that trees play in your everyday life more...
271BOT352O 09/30 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Thomson
ONLINE

October

Explore the remarkable diversity of Earth's biomes—from tropical rainforests and arid deserts to temperate grasslands and alpine tundras—and discover how plants have evolved unique adaptations to thrive in each environment. In this class, you'll investigate the defining characteristics of major more...
272BOT387O 10/01 Th 10:00am-1:00pm Bijkerk
ONLINE

Botanical Latin is essential for anyone with a serious interest in identifying plants. But, contrary to popular belief, mastering Latin plant names need not be intimidating or boring. Review the rules of taxonomy, Latin grammar, and pronunciation, and learn the more...
272GAR360O 10/01 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Bakshi
ONLINE

Learn to identify the native and naturalized trees, shrubs, and woody vines of the Northeast by their vegetative characteristics using their scientific and common names. You'll also hone your ability to use taxonomic keys and field guides.
272BOT375BL 10/06 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Grumm
BLENDED

Paleobotany, the study of plant evolution through fossil evidence, gives us insights into Earth's flora, past and present. In this class, you'll learn about the evolution of plants—from when life first emerged from the ocean to modern day trees and more...
272BOT434O 10/06 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Boyer
ONLINE

This is the class for plant-lovers eager to up their game! Learn the terminology and basic botanical nomenclature that will help you recognize and describe key differences in common plants.
272BOT308AO 10/13 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Sparreo
ONLINE

We will cover the role of plant hormones in growth and development, as well as plant movement, water transport through the plant body, and plant metabolism, including photosynthesis and respiration (anaerobic and aerobic).
272BOT316BO 10/20 Tu 6:00pm-9:00pm Anise
ONLINE

Among Earth's most amazing and oldest living organisms, lichens grow on bark, rock, and barren soil. They thrive in rain forests, deserts, the arctic -- even environments simulating Mars! Lichens are sensitive environmental indicators, yet scientists are only just beginning more...
272BOT313 10/21 We 10:00am-1:00pm Howland
NYBG

Wine carries the flavor of the land where its grapes are grown--something the French call terroir. But why does a Chardonnay from Burgundy taste so different from one made in California, even though it's the exact same grape variety? The more...
272CKG202 10/24 Sa 2:00pm-4:00pm Arbor
NYBG

Get a solid grounding in the basic plant body, from the cell to the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruit. We'll use dissecting and compound light microscopes to observe plant anatomy, then introduce the base-level chemistry required to understand the more...
272BOT315AO 10/26 Mo 6:00pm-9:00pm Zumajo
ONLINE

November

Discover the world of the marine algae under the microscope and through artful preservation techniques. You'll begin with an in-depth overview of phycological diversity and ecological impact, before moving onto hands-on identification of anatomy under the microscope. Then, you will more...
272BOT311 11/04 We 6:00pm-7:30pm Borsuk
NYBG

Plants do not grow in isolation—they exist within a rich and dynamic ecosystem teeming with microorganisms. Explore the fascinating and essential relationships between plants and the microbial world that surrounds them. From symbiotic fungi that extend the reach of plant more...
272BOT341 11/14 Sa 11:00am-1:00pm Zumajo
Nigris
NYBG

Become a detective of the natural world as you gain a solid understanding of how to read a forest scene. Discover how historic events have affected the forest landscape, shaping its current appearance and function. Through presentation, discussion, and walks more...
272BOT395BL 11/16 Mo 6:00pm-8:00pm Turner
BLENDED

December

Discover the power, the allure, and the science of psychedelic mushrooms. This lecture focuses on the mycology of psychedelic mushrooms, focusing on Psilocybe species, Amanita muscaria, and Claviceps purpurea (from which LSD is synthesized), and how they are used in more...
272BOT302O 12/02 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Bone
ONLINE

This is the class for plant-lovers eager to up their game! Learn the terminology and basic botanical nomenclature that will help you recognize and describe key differences in common plants.
272BOT308BO 12/02 We 5:30pm-7:30pm Bucuvalas
ONLINE

January

Discover how trees communicate via chemical signals in the air (to warn of insect attacks) and transfer nutrients to one another through complex underground fungal networks (sometimes to assist sick trees).
273BOT385AO 01/13 We 6:00pm-8:00pm Kutos
ONLINE

This is the class for plant-lovers eager to up their game! Learn the terminology and basic botanical nomenclature that will help you recognize and describe key differences in common plants.
273BOT308CO 01/14 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Holmes
ONLINE

In class and in forays around the Garden, you'll learn to recognize the winter characteristics of native and common woody plants by bud types, leaf scars, fruit remnants, and other distinguishing marks.
273BOT332 01/14 Th 10:00am-1:00pm Slowik
NYBG

Botanical Latin is essential for anyone with a serious interest in identifying plants. But, contrary to popular belief, mastering Latin plant names need not be intimidating or boring. Review the rules of taxonomy, Latin grammar, and pronunciation, and learn the more...
273GAR360AO 01/14 Th 11:00am-1:00pm Bakshi
ONLINE

Discover the many herbs and spices prized for centuries to heal, to revitalize the immune system, and to treat and prevent asthma, insomnia, flu, and more.
273BOT346AO 01/23 Sa 10:00am-12:00pm Candee
ONLINE

How do plants grow and develop? In this class, you'll study the cellular and molecular aspects that drive the development of land plants. Explore major evolutionary innovations as you analyze the diversity of structures throughout each developmental phase and the more...
273BOT380 01/26 Tu 11:00am-1:00pm Pierdona
NYBG

February

Discover the fascinating world beneath the soil by exploring the botanical intricacies of geophytes -- commonly known as "earth plants". From the layered architecture of bulbs and tubers (such as tulips and potatoes) to the stealthy spread of rhizomes (think more...
273BOT370O 02/17 We 10:00am-1:00pm Bijkerk
ONLINE

This is the class for plant-lovers eager to up their game! Learn the terminology and basic botanical nomenclature that will help you recognize and describe key differences in common plants.
273BOT308DO 02/23 Tu 6:00pm-8:00pm Sparreo
ONLINE

Scientists have engineered so many new products from mycelium that Scientific American heralds the dawn of the "Mycelium Revolution" and Harper's Bazaar dubs fungi "The Future of Fashion." Explore how scientists have harnessed mycelium's ability to create complex structures that more...
273BOT349O 02/23 Tu 6:00pm-7:30pm Michelotti
ONLINE

Get a solid grounding in the basic plant body, from the cell to the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruit. We'll use dissecting and compound light microscopes to observe plant anatomy, then introduce the base-level chemistry required to understand the more...
273BOT315BO 02/24 We 6:00pm-9:00pm Kutos
ONLINE

March

Discover how trees communicate via chemical signals in the air (to warn of insect attacks) and transfer nutrients to one another through complex underground fungal networks (sometimes to assist sick trees).
273BOT385BO 03/04 Th 6:00pm-8:00pm Herrera
ONLINE

This is the class for plant-lovers eager to up their game! Learn the terminology and basic botanical nomenclature that will help you recognize and describe key differences in common plants.
273BOT308EO 03/06 Sa 11:00am-1:00pm Bucuvalas
ONLINE

Why do some species have smooth bark, while on others it is thick and broken? Why does bark peel? The traits typically used to describe trees -- leaves, twigs, and buds -- are often hard to see or seasonally absent. more...
273BOT426 03/07 Su 10:30am-3:30pm Wojtech
NYBG

We will cover the role of plant hormones in growth and development, as well as plant movement, water transport through the plant body, and plant metabolism, including photosynthesis and respiration (anaerobic and aerobic).
273BOT316 03/11 Th 4:30pm-7:30pm Alvarez
NYBG

Discover the many herbs and spices prized for centuries to heal, to revitalize the immune system, and to treat and prevent asthma, insomnia, flu, and more.
273BOT346BO 03/13 Sa 10:00am-12:00pm Candee
ONLINE

Lichens are among the most unique, resilient organisms on Earth -- and among the least understood. In this class, you'll explore the identification, natural history, and ecology of lichens of the Northeast, especially those in the NYC area.
273BOT365 03/14 Su 11:00am-2:00pm Rao
NYBG

Alpine plants are masters of survival, thriving in some of the most extreme environments on Earth—high altitudes with thin air, freezing temperatures, intense UV radiation, and short growing seasons. In this class, you'll explore the remarkable adaptations of alpine flora more...
273BOT328O 03/16 Tu 10:00am-1:00pm Bijkerk
ONLINE

Botanical Latin is essential for anyone with a serious interest in identifying plants. But, contrary to popular belief, mastering Latin plant names need not be intimidating or boring. Review the rules of taxonomy, Latin grammar, and pronunciation, and learn the more...
273GAR360BO 03/25 Th 11:00am-1:00pm Bakshi
ONLINE