Description
Registration
Location
Central Garden
Date & Time
January 13th: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
A Pointed Subject: The Botany Behind Spines, Thorns, and Prickles
Join us for a fun and fascinating exploration of the biology behind spinescent plants in The Huntington’s living collections presented by Sean Lahmeyer. From cacti to roses to palms, discover what distinguishes various pointed structures—spines, thorns, prickles, and more—and uncover the evolutionary patterns that have led these features to arise across unrelated plant families. You’ll also learn how understanding plant anatomy can become a powerful tool in your own garden, helping you identify plants, interpret their adaptations, and appreciate the hidden stories behind their structures.
Sean Lahmeyer is the Associate Director of Botanical Collections, Conservation, and Research at The Huntington, where he leads the strategic vision for plant curation, conservation programs, and research initiatives. His work spans oversight of the institution’s tissue culture and cryobiotechnology lab, seed bank, and herbarium, ensuring the long-term preservation and study of globally significant plant collections.
A respected voice in the plant conservation field, Sean plays an active leadership role within the American Public Gardens Association (APGA) and serves on the steering committee of the Illegal Plant Trade Coalition, coordinated by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).
A lifelong Angeleno, Sean has spent more than two decades at The Huntington. His passion for plants traces back to his great uncle and grandmother, who instilled in him a love for growing food and nurturing gardens. In addition to his work as a botanist, Sean is a dedicated educator and has taught biology—with a focus on botany—at Pasadena City College since 2007.
Cancellation Policy
Please note if you need to cancel, you must send your cancellation request to education@slgardens.org no later than 5 business days in advance of the scheduled class for a full refund. If less than 5 business days, you will not be eligible for a refund.
