Virtual Evolution is this week! Check out the schedule here: www.evolutionmeetings.org/virtual-prog...

Interested in listening to Dr. Ricardo Kriebel's, Moving Flowers: Evolution of Floral Form, Function & Pollination in Salvia? You can watch his talk right now on our YouTube channel! Use the link below to watch recordings of previous and upcoming talks!

Congratulations to Dr. Amy Litt, who has been elected as President of the Botanical Society of America. Amy is the recording secretary and outgoing past president of the California Botanical Society Council, and will be seminar organizer for our organization.

Our newest speaker in our 2026 Botany Speaker Series: Ricardo Kreibel, Assistant Curator and McAllister Chair of Botany at the California Academy of Sciences! He will be discussing; "Moving Flowers; Evolution of Floral Form, Function, and Pollination in Salvia"

“Soil is the ecological interface between life and geology….” Using 53,000 herbarium voucher records, Emma Fryer et al. evaluated each taxon’s affinity and endemism to clay soils and found evidence for endemism to clay soils in California flora.

The Barrick & Lenski Labs in Dept of Microbiology, Genetics, & Immunology at Michigan State Univ seek a Research Assistant II to manage their research operations and participate in projects related to microbial evolution and synthetic biology. See details below. careers.msu.edu/jobs/researc...

All right, this piece has triggered me so I have to yell a bit (though this is bluesky, so I realize I'm just preaching at the choir):

After big dams on the upper Klamath River in far northern CA were removed in 2024, Chinook (king) salmon migrated upstream for the first time in 100+ years--and now they have hatched.

And PIs, did you know you could gift students and postdocs SSE membership for $10?? And that the virtual meeting is $10-30 for trainees?!? If your lab is not up for travel this year, check into the virtual meeting! www.evolutionmeetings.org

One of our first nominated Asters, we had the pleasure to learn more about Gabi McLean, the former President of the California Native Plant Society San Gabriel Mountains Chapter.

Meet Emma Rose Fryer, who was previously awarded one of Paul Silva Grants to assist with their research during their Master's degree at Cal Poly SLO! We are happy to celebrate both her, and the research they conducted! Learn more about them, and if interested in learning more, read their articles:

An annual grass native to the Middle East, North Africa, and southern Europe. Melanie J. Davis et al., in their article within this edition of Madroño, discussed a collection that represents the first documentation of this taxon in North America since 1933!

Astragalus pycnostachyus is a short-lived perennial herb that is split into two described varieties: Coastal Milkvetch and Ventura Marsh Milkvetch. In a study by May B. Roberts et al., the authors focus on the conservation genomics of Astragalus pycnostachyus A. Gray.

A star scientist showed that better genetics lessons could reduce racism. It was the death knell for his career The loss of Brian Donovan’s grants and job speak volumes about federal funding priorities — and academia www.statnews.com/2026/04/07/b...

!! Wow, NPR article highlighting botanist @naomibot.bsky.social !!

e-bikes are pure joy on wheels

Fellow botanists! The first issue of Madroño for 2026 is now complete online and open access. Please use the link at the bottom to access the site. We have a new article type this issue, ‘Commentary’, as well as the annual ‘Dedication’. Please check them out. mailchi.mp/calbotsoc/ma...

Learn more about the current California Botanical Society council, and who you may likely interact with! Here is our first batch of the council! We are excited to introduce you to: Adriana - Director at Large Brianne - Outreach Coordinator & Nemophila Editor Andy - Social Media Coordinator

On April 25th, CalBotSoc will be having our 2026 Annual Banquet and Mixer! We have recently added a Student Poster Presentation to our agenda! Use the QR Code on the right to submit your poster for our upcoming Banquet. Make sure register and purchase your tickets for the Banquet and field trips!

Our current volume of Madroño is dedicated to Dr. Peggy Lee Fielder in recognition of her exceptional contributions to conservation biology, rare plant ecology, the California Natural Reserve System, and the advancement of botanical sciences. Learn more: doi.org/10.3120/0024...

We are looking for Botany Ambassadors for the California Botanical Society! This is a perfect opportunity to both expand your Botany scientific literacy, and science communication skills! If you are interested please email Brianne Palmer at [email protected] for more info

Just sent one!

This should be the biggest weather and climate news on your radar today. You can send an email today to say why dismantling NCAR is a bad idea for everyone: [email protected]

What is meant when we discuss and talk about species? Historically, the history of species concepts goes back over 2000 years! Brent D. Mishler in Madroño discusses the importance of “getting straight about species.” DOI: doi.org/10.3120/0024... #MadronoMondays #Madrono #botany

This upcoming Thursday (3/12/26), Nancy R. Morin will host a talk on Nemacladus from 7 to 8 pm on Zoom. Nancy will discuss the many puzzles that still exist in this fascinating genus. Free, everyone welcome. Link to zoom link is here: calbotsoc.org/.../botan.......

I am SO THRILLED to share our first fully-lab lab paper!!!!!! Led by @hybridzones.bsky.social & @hagarsoliman.bsky.social, w/ a major assist from @pfschwarz.bsky.social!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read more below, if you're curious (you should be- it's AWESOME!!!!!!!) link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

So excited to do some vernal pool and Sierra foothill botanizing!

1. I’m quite happy with this popular piece that Lee Dugatkin and I wrote recently. For the next two weeks it’s free to read on the American Scientist website.

The trove of files released by the Department of Justice, illuminates Epstein’s deep interest and entrenchment in the scientific community. But the files also underscore how he used his power and money in ways that kept women out of places where they might succeed. https://bit.ly/4qWgPLz

Registration is now open! Early-bird closes April 15. www.evolutionmeetings.org/registration...

Holy shit: it's an RFP for the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (PRFB). Hello old friend www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...

This thread is sickening. But it's so important not to look away.

I wrote this song on Saturday, recorded it yesterday and released it to you today in response to the state terror being visited on the city of Minneapolis. It’s dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Stay free

Out in @science.org this week: SIPS binds to a conserved region of SRK to control interspecies incompatibility in Brassicaceae. This contrasts with SRK's variable region, which is involved in self-incompatibility interactions. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #plantscience

Check out AJB's special issue "Paradigm shifts in flower color" a bunch of cool papers on flower coloration with a focus on non-pollinator drivers of color variation 🌸🌼🌺https://bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/15372197/2026/113/1

Looking for something new to integrate into an #evolution or #microbiology course? Useful for lectures, labs, homework? Have a look at our STEPS program, which simulates bacterial evolution, including the #LTEE. Easy web-based interface & lab manual w/ exercises to help develop students' intuition.

To hell with this. @nature.com has only the power we choose to give them by publishing in their profiteering journals. We can take it all away by publishing only in society journals: @newphyt.bsky.social @plantphys.bsky.social @jxbotany.bsky.social @annbot.bsky.social @aobp.bsky.social

If you are a resident of California, the state now has a portal where you can demand deletion of your personal data from 500+ registered data brokers with a single request form, for free. consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov

A caveat: this survey was done by Frontiers, a garbage company with a pro-AI stance, recruiting respondents by email. I'm sure there is some self-selection of who actually opens emails from Frontiers.

Nature would do well to publish more content like this thoughtful piece from @kevinbaker.bsky.social and fewer Buzzfeed listicles gussied up as career advice "Five productivity hacks for using AI in your scientific workflow"

Nice demonstration of different pollinator species "pulling" floral morphology in different directions for optimal pollen deposition, in two South African wildflower species 🌿 buff.ly/m0f1Fp2

Our economy is a big circle jerk

Short version: Trump: I'm dismantling the Constitution, building a paramilitary fascist army loyal only to me, blowing up the US economy for my billionaire cronies, and destroying the planet. Schumer: Okay, but you have to extend subsidies for corporate health care Trump: No Schumer: Okay

proof that evolutionary biologists can be good parents 😂

This profile is pretty much proof that Seattle stands a very good chance of soon having its most Seattle (laudatory) mayor ever And there's a bonus surprise for the evolutionary biologists in the audience www.thestranger.com/news/2025/10...

lol lmao

Spooky treat from my kid’s Halloween bag 😱@jrossibarra.bsky.social