Plants disperse their seeds using a variety of mechanisms. One important mechanism involves partnering with animals such as birds, bats, and primates who eat the fruits and carry the seeds away from the parent plant.  In order to attract these animal partners, plants must communicate with those animals through the colour of their fruits.

In this talk, we will explore the diversity of fruit colouration and, in particular, how novel and unusual colours evolve.  The majority of plant colours are derived from pigments, but some plants use structural colour, where colour is produced through interference of light by nanostructures on the surface of the fruit.  We will discuss the unusual structural colours of Viburnum, how they evolved, and what information they convey to animal dispersers.

A programme of free, informal, monthly science talks bringing the latest discoveries in plant science, as well as research linked to the plant collection at CUBG to our visitors in a 30 minute nutshell.

We will be running these talks as online webinars for those at home, and also screening the talks live from the Botanic Garden Classroom for those visiting the the Garden on the day.

Please check the website and social media for updates.

Suitable for adults and children aged 12+

Talks run monthly March to July