Event Date: October 19, 2012 1:00PM
This event occured in the past – Under the authorization of Congress, the United States Exploring Expedition to the South Seas (also known as the Wilkes Expedition) set sail on August 18, 1838, from Hampton Roads, Virginia, under the command of Lieutenant Charles Wilkes. During the expedition, more than 50,000 specimens of plans were pressed and 250 live plans were collected and brought back in 1842. These living plants became the founding collection of the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) in 1850. Four of these species are still under the care of the USBG.
Join Kyle Wallick, Botanist at the United States Botanic Garden, as he highlights stories about the expedition and shows new plant species grown from plants gathered during this expedition 176 years ago. Meet at the entrance to Exhibition Hall on the lower level for this 15-minute talk on Friday, October 19 at 1 p.m. No reservations or passes are required.
