College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

• April 4, 2008

  Bamboozled botanist to offer confessions during LAS Dean's Lecture Series event

• In Lynn Clark's line of work, it helps to be a little fearless.

  The Iowa State University professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology has proved to be fearless and successful in her quest to find species of bamboo that have never before been identified as she conducts much of her research in Central and South America, using whatever mode of transportation is available at the time.

  Clark will speak on her experiences and her bamboo research during the spring 2008 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ Dean’s Lecture Series. Clark will present "Confessions of a Bamboozled Botanist" Thursday, April 17, at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. Admission is free and he public is invited.

  Clark says that bamboo is known as the plant of a thousand uses provided everything from shelter to implements to food for humans. But as important as bamboo may be, their biology remains mysterious in many ways and even the number of bamboo species known continues to grow. Clark's journey into the world of bamboo began 35 years ago and it has become a way of life for her.

  "Bamboo is also widely appreciated for its combination of beauty and strength," Clark says. "Its utility and versatility invest it with symbolic value, and bamboo has become central to some cultures, particularly in Asia but also elsewhere. 

  "Bamboos are extremely diverse and like other grasses often grow abundantly, so bamboo plays important roles in natural ecosystems as food and habitat for a multitude of species; giant pandas are simply the best known example of bamboo dependence."

  Since she first started her research, Clark has named 75 species of bamboo and estimates there are another 60-70 samples she has already collected but has not yet identified as new. Her latest discovery is "hill cane," a hardy grass found in the hills of Appalachia.

  This lecture series is coordinated by Iowa State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and is funded by the University Committee on Lectures (funded by GSB). A reception will follow the lecture.

Ames, Iowa 50011, (515) 294-4111. Published by: University Relations, online@iastate.edu. Copyright © 1995-2004, Iowa State University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.

Non-Discrimination Statement and Information Disclosures

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Ames, Iowa 50011-1302

General Information: (515) 294-7740

Academic Advising: (515) 294-4831

Email: las@iastate.edu

Michael Whiteford - Dean

Bret Larwick - Director of Technology

Dave Gieseke - Director of Communications