Greetings! My name is Kyra, and I am delighted to be part of this botanical journey with you. I became profoundly fascinated with plants and the natural world in 2020, which has shaped my personal and professional experiences.
My passion for plants led me to pursue formal education in ethnobotany. I delved into the fascinating realms of plant physiology, taxonomy, and ecology. I spent countless hours studying the intricate cellular structures of plants, understanding their classification, and exploring the interdependencies between plant species and their environments.
Gardening, too, holds a special place in my heart. I find solace in tending to a diverse array of plants, nurturing them from seeds or saplings to flourishing individuals. The process of creating a vibrant garden, filled with a variety of flowers, herbs, and vegetables, brings me immense satisfaction. It allows me to witness the miracles of growth, observe the intricate interplay of life, and cultivate a deeper connection with the natural world.
In addition to academic pursuits, I have actively engaged in hands-on activities related to plants. Foraging, the art of gathering wild edible plants and fungi, has been a source of great joy for me. Exploring the wetlands of Louisiana, identifying edible and medicinal plants, and connecting with the natural world in this way has been a truly rewarding experience.
While I deeply appreciate foraging and gardening, hunting plants has not been a part of my journey. Instead, I focus on understanding and preserving plant diversity, studying their unique adaptations, and promoting sustainable practices to protect our natural habitats.
Choosing a favorite plant is a challenging task, as there are countless species that captivate me with their beauty and fascinating characteristics. However, if I had to narrow it down, I am particularly drawn to Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub., Artemisia vulgaris (L.), and Eriophyllum confertiflorum (DC) Gray.
In conclusion, my botanical journey has been an exploration of plants, their complexities, and their significance in our lives. I look forward to sharing my knowledge, experiences, and passion for the botanical world with all of you.
Kyra
Welcome Kyra,
it sounds like you have a deep connection to the plant world and I appreciate your devotion to exploring the importance of plants in our lives. When I teach systematic botany BIOL331 I get a lot of wildlife biology majors and they are also questioning why they need to know plants, when they are really interested in the charismatic megafauna of Alaska. I always have to remind them that most of them are probably wearing plants, ate plants in the morning, live in some structures that are made from plants, not to speak about photosynthesis, oxygen production and removing carbon dioxide from the air, and the list goes on and on. I love the work by Raku Inoue, his art using plants is amazing.