On April 2, 1759, a letter was penned that would rock the botanical world: the first documented description of the Venus flytrap. Tales of this tiny green predator from the pine savannahs of Southeastern North Carolina would sweep throughout Europe. Join North Carolina Maritime Museum in Southport Programming and Education Curator Shannon Walker to learn about the little plant sparked a craze that would involve a royal governor, the who’s who of 18th century scientists, and a high seas adventure.
This program is part of the N.C. Maritime Museum’s Maritime Heritage Lecture Series. Informal lectures focused on North Carolina’s rich maritime history, coastal environment, and culture. The lectures are currently held in the Fort Macon Coastal Education Center and streamed via Zoom. It is free, and registration is not required for the in-person program. Visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com/virtual to sign up to receive the Zoom links. Programs are also posted to the museum’s YouTube channel.
Photo courtesy NC Maritime Museum.