Ghosts of Indian Princes - 4th Annual Geoff Baylis Lecture

Assoc. Prof. Kevin S. Gould will present the 4th Annual Geoff Baylis Lecture with a talk entitled Ghosts of Indian Princes - The Remarkable Properties of Red Pigmented Plants. The eastern states of North America play host each year to one of natures most spectacular phenomena. From Maine to North Carolina a rich mural of reds, carmines, crimsons, scarlets, and purples accompanies the leaves of deciduous trees as they embark on the processes leading to winter dormancy. New Zealand, too, has its share of vermillion spread across all orders of plants from the liverworts to the angiosperms. Such displays have long been considered an extravagancy without a vital function. In contrast, recent research suggests that the red pigments anthocyanins can in some instances be critical for plant survival. Anthocyanins seem to empower plants to tolerate a diverse assortment of environmental stressors, including exposures to strong light, ultraviolet radiation, drought, cold, fungal infections, and even protection from herbivores. The pigments are, moreover, potent scavengers of free radicals, the reactive atoms and molecules that have the potential to destroy DNA, membranes, and proteins. Red-pigmented plants also hold the potential for the advancement of human health; the consumption of anthocyanin-rich foods is associated with a lower risk of non-infectious diseases, including coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, ischemic stroke, Alzheimers, and certain cancers. These remarkably versatile pigments are evidently natures Swiss army knife.

Plus: Audrey Eagle Botanical Drawing Competition Display and Prize Giving. NOTE SPECIAL VENUE: Castle 1 lecture theatre, Otago University. Keep this date free.