Introduction to the Vascular Flora of the Blue Ridge
2 Credit Hours
May 18–22, 2026
Instructor: Dr. Paul Manos, Duke University
Cost: $500.00
This course welcomes students, professional biologists, and plant enthusiasts alike. Centered on the rich botanical diversity of the Highlands Plateau, it provides both an introduction and a refresher on studying vascular plant diversity.
Through a community-based lens, participants will explore the flora of the Blue Ridge during field excursions and hands-on identification exercises. Course objectives include:
- Understanding key distinguishing features among lycophytes, ferns, and seed plants.
- Learning field characteristics of common and rare species and the habitats they occupy.
- Developing confidence in using identification keys.
- Gaining a clearer understanding of the ecology of major regional plant communities and the biogeography of their species.
This immersive field experience offers a strong foundation for anyone interested in the botanical richness of the Southern Appalachians.
Meet the Instructor
Paul Manos is Professor of Biology at Duke University. He has studied the systematics and biogeography of Northern Hemisphere woody plants with an emphasis on oaks, blueberries, and the flora of the Southern Appalachian region. He has extensive teaching experience including field courses and workshops taught at the Highlands Biological Station, Sarah P. Duke Gardens and the Jepson Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley.
pmanos@duke.edu