Botany Spotlight: Amazing Plant Adaptations to Terrestrial Environments

Date: Tue, Sep 1, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Venue: Duke Gardens–Pelham-Cullen Classroom in the Barnes Welcome Center, Durham

Price: $28

Category: Outdoors

Plants thrive in an extraordinary diversity of habitats, from hot, dry deserts to humid tropical rain forests to cold arctic tundra to expansive grasslands. But unlike most animals (including humans), plants are constrained to live in a fixed location. They can’t move to find the water, sunlight and nutrients they need to survive, and they can't migrate to avoid changing or harsh environmental conditions. The varied ways plants have evolved and adapted to overcome these challenges are truly amazing. Join Alec Motten, professor emeritus, Duke University Department of Biology, for a lively exploration of how plants respond to and shape their environment. You’ll start with an in-depth overview in the classroom before venturing out into the Gardens to see exciting examples from the plant collection. Pair this class with a tour of the Duke Research Greenhouse’s teaching collection on Saturday, November 21 (register separately). Fee : $28, 20% discount for Duke Gardens members with discount code. Parking: Parking fees apply. Location: Pelham-Cullen Classroom inside the Barnes Welcome Center. Accessibility: This is a small group program that takes place partially seated indoors and partially outdoors, traveling on a combination of paved and unpaved paths with some uneven surfaces and moderate inclines. The indoor location is equipped with a hearing loop, which transmits sound directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants with a T-coil setting.