News

The third edition of Aroids – Plants of the Arum Family is the work of long-standing MPG member Deni Bown who lives in Spain. The definitive feature of the family is that its members have compound inflorescences, formed of a fleshy central column (a spadix) of many tightly packed flowers. The spadix is usually surrounded by a brightly coloured spathe (a highly modified leaf). Not all aroid species have spathes, but all have spadixes. Various examples are often seen on MPG trips, A. italicum for example, often in olive groves. Deni’s book is available on pre-order from Kew Books, Amazon and other outlets.

One of MPG’s earliest members, greatly respected for her knowledge and love of plants, Jorun Tharaldsen, died suddenly and unexpectedly on 18 December. Jorun was known by members around the world and will be greatly missed. A Norwegian, but remarkable for fluency in English, Greek and German, her professional life was in vet parasitology. She leaves a son, Anders, and husband, Sverre. The picture shows her on a windy day during an MPG trip on Tenerife, photographing plants.

Gill Robinson, who currently chairs MPG’s management committee, introduces today the first of this winter’s series of five presentations on Zoom. Bookings for the December, January, February and March events must be made at least 24 hours in advance using the form on the website in the Upcoming Events section. There is no charge for members to attend. The illustrated talks, usually delivered live by speakers, were described this month as “wonderful lifesavers” by a previously very active member who is less able to go on walking expeditions than she used to be.

Ten years after the association was founded, the MPG subscription remains £10 per calendar year. Joining this month provides best value for money as fees paid now give membership through to 31 December 2025. During the northern hemisphere winter months there are monthly illustrated presentations on line, including a fun and friendly quiz in December. Image shows Phoenix theophrasti in southern Crete, during an MPG expedition.

MPG member Umberto Pasti has created a wild garden in north-west Morocco, pictured here courtesy of Ngoc Minh Ngo. The garden has two parts – an area with two cottages set among New World plants – cannas, cosmos, sunflowers, zinnias, tithonias and Amaryllis belladonna, with Moroccan flora on the hills, many species of irises and daffodils, hundreds of other bulbs, and strawberry trees, viburnums, brooms and rockroses. A life-long plant enthusiast, Umberto also has a town house and garden, the subject of a book The House of a Lifetime: A Collector’s Journey in Tangier, authored and illustrated by him and Ngoc Minh Ngo, where he has a museum-quality collection of treasures.