For our October meeting we have quite a show in store as we welcome ethnobotanist Dr. Mark Plotkin. What is ethnobotany you ask? It's the study of the infinite number of historical ways in which humans have utilized plants (and mushrooms) in culture. Magic mushrooms, check. Wine (yeast), check. Antibiotics, check. Migranes (ergot), check. If that sounds like the makings of a great lecture, and it does, then this is one show you don't want to miss!
Mark has done field research in the Amazon river basin for decades, working with and learning from the shamanic healers. If you'd like to know more about his amazing travels, please check out his books 'Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice' and 'The Amazon'. Excellent reads both, and well worth the investment. While you're at it, you ought to check out Mark's podcast 'Plants of the Gods' too - but beware, listening to this podcast can be as habit forming as the addictive plants he discusses.
For our short program this month we're going to hear from a blast from the past, Thomas Roehl, former board member of MAWDC, as he tells us about the exciting research he's been doing on enoki mushrooms at the Univ of Wisconsin for the past couple of years.
We'll be virtual again this month via Zoom. Here are the login credentials, including passcode should you need it.
Meeting ID 966 9369 0911 Passcode 330827