LUNCHBOX Talk: The Origin of Seeds
with Pat Gensel, Professor of Biology, UNC-Chapel Hill
Date: Thursday, September 7, 2017 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
The earliest seeds known occur in Late Devonian times, ca 380 mya, heralding a major innovation in plant reproduction and growth strategies. Seeds not only allowed plants to inhabit more varied environments, but also provided a new food source for herbivores, and ultimately humans. Highlights in seed plant evolution from the Devonian to the present help show the interesting history of diversification and variation within this fascinating group of plants.
About LUNCHBOX Talks: Bring your lunch and join us for a free lecture! Pre-registration required.
About the presenter:
Pat Gensel is a paleobotanist renowned for her research of Paleozoic plants. She served as President of the Botanical Society of America for 2000-2001. Gensel is the namesake of the genus, Genselia Knaus, which consists of four species of early Carboniferous plants found in the Pocono and Price Formations in the Appalachian Basin of North America. She is a Professor of Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill.