Thursday 23 January 2025, 19:00-20:30 | £20, registration required
Lecture Theatre, Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PW
Oxford ragwort is unique among Britain's native flora. The product of hybridisation between two species of ragwort native to Mount Etna, Sicily, it was grown in Oxford's Botanic Garden in the early 18th century. From here it escaped into Oxford and went on to rapidly colonise most parts of Britain and Ireland during and after the industrial revolution. During its journey, Oxford ragwort has hybridised with common groundsel to create three further novel groundsels/ragworts, one as recently as 1979.
Professor Hiscock has studied the reproductive biology and evolution of Oxford ragwort (Senecio squalidus) and its close relatives for over 25 years and his recent research has shed new light on the origin of this iconic British native.
Simon Hiscock is Director of the Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum and Professor of Botany in the Department of Biology. He was previously Director of the University of Bristol Botanic Garden, where he led the design and development of the new botanic garden. He is a Trustee of the New Phytologist Foundation, a Fellow of the Linnean Society, and Editor in Chief of Plants, People, Planet.
Professor Simon Hiscock "The Oxford Ragwort Story"
Thursday 6 February
19:00–20:30
Guy Shrubsole "The Lie of the Land: Who really cares for the countryside?"
Thursday 20 February
19:00–20:30
In conversation with Alice Vincent "Why Women Grow"
Thursday 6 March
19:00–20:30
Anne Swithinbank "Gently Rewilding the Garden"
Tuesday 20 March
19:00–20:30
Cleve West "The Garden of Vegan"
Our Winter Lecture series invites speakers from the world of horticulture, botany and beyond.
All talks take place in the Lecture Theatre at Oxford University's Museum of Natural History, Parks Rd, Oxford OX1 3PW (directions).
Tickets are £20 per talk. These lectures are live-only events and will not be recorded.
A drinks reception will take place after the lecture from 20:00 until 20:30 in the beautiful surroundings of the Museum.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic options will be available.
Tickets are available until the week before the event.