The speaker for our September meeting will be John Ubelaker.  He will present a talk entitled "Biology and Uses of Native Plants in the Taos Area." He has a wealth of knowledge on plants and their uses both today and historically. 

His talk will examine the life cycle of two species of common plants, Cleome serrulata, Beeweed, and the species of yucca that occur in the Taos area. Their biology is very complex. Plants of both species are attractive plants and especially beeweed that attracts bees to the gardens. Both plants have important medical uses, and both were used in the dye industry, medical uses and producing the wonderful drawings on early native American pottery.

John Ubelaker received his undergraduate degree and Masters degree from the University of Kansas and his PhD in Biological Sciences from Colorado State University in 1967. He did a post doctorate study at Emory University and Vanderbilt University before coming to Southern Methodist University in Dallas. At SMU he had many students, received many grants, served as Chairman of the Department and served as Director of the SMU in Taos campus for 16 years. He has now retired here in Taos but continues to teach courses on the campus here at Fort Burgwin.