By Nina Jungman
In May, The Kampong welcomed back the prestigious Tropical Botany Course for its 48th year, a hallmark of our commitment to botanical education and research. This year, we hosted 16 students from diverse countries, each bringing unique perspectives and a shared passion for tropical plants.
The course, known for its rigorous and comprehensive curriculum, has been a cornerstone of botanical education since its inception. Started by Havard’s Richard A. Howard, this course has been taught at The Kampong since 1962 with a few minor breaks.
Taking the reins from University of Florida’s Dr. Walter Judd, who led this course since 1982, International Center for Tropical Botany (ICTB) at The Kampong Director Dr. Christopher Baraloto and Dr. Lucas Majure, assistant curator at the University of Florida Herbarium guided this year’s cohort through the intricate world of systematic botany.
Over the span of four weeks, students reside at the Scarborough House. Day by day they delve into our living collection as they learn the identification of almost 2,000 plant species across almost 100 plant families. They explore diverse ecosystems, and visit Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Montgomery Botanical Center, Everglades National Park, and the Florida Keys. This hands-on approach not only enhances their botanical knowledge but also provides invaluable field experience. The latter is further reinforced by a 2-week sample collection in Costa Rica, led by Dr. Baraloto.
The impact of the course extends far beyond The Kampong. Students return to their home countries equipped with new skills and knowledge, ready to advance their careers and educate others. As we celebrate the achievements of this year’s students, we remain committed to fostering a global network of botanists who will drive future discoveries and innovations in the world of tropical plants.
