California is home to a diverse array of edible & medicinal plants long valued for their nutritional/therapeutic effects. During this workshop we will explore many of the more common (and lesser known) native/naturalized plants found growing throughout the state, with a focus on historical as well as modern use. Topics to be covered include: field identification, plant family morphological and phytochemical characteristics, introduction to the major CA bioregions and plant communities, legal and ethical harvesting guidelines, processing/preparation methods, edible/medicinal/utilitarian uses, regional ethnobotany, plant toxicology/safety issues, rare/threatened/endangered status, California natural history, and more! Class will include an interactive lecture, a large selection of live/dried plant samples, sampling of a number of different edible/medicinal plant preparations, as well as a plant walk through the California natives section of the UC Botanical Garden. Our study will empha size a dynamic sensory awareness of the plants via close observation. This comprehensive botanical intensive should prove to be insightful and rewarding for anyone interested in knowing more about the unique (and useful) flora of our state.
TELLUR FENNER is a clinical herbalist/educator and has spent the past two decades traveling extensively throughout the U.S while studying, collecting, and using plant foods/medicines from all the major bioregions. Tellur attended the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine, the California School of Herbal Studies, and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Prescott College where he majored in Western Herbalism. As an herbalist of the “generalist” persuasion, he believes in the importance of an interdisciplinary practice which integrates the study of botany, ethnobotany, botanical pharmacy, human physiology, phytochemistry, and other biological sciences. He has taught classes and led trips for the Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Berkeley, San Francisco Botanical Garden, Chico State Herbarium, Bastyr University in WA, California Academy of Sciences, Merritt College, California Historical Society, Point Reyes National Seashore Association, Pepperwood Preserve in Sonoma County, American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as a number of other organizations. In addition to offering regular weekend workshops throughout the year, he also runs a comprehensive 12-month (240 hour) classroom/field based academic program titled: “Edible & Medicinal Plants of California: A Bioregional Exploration”. He is the owner/director of the Blue Wind Botanical Medicine Clinic and Education Center located in Ukiah, CA.
Cost $60.00
Information: gardenprograms@berkeley.edu