Fall Conference 2025: Weird NJ Plants! FREE ON ZOOM

I wish I could join this but it's on a Saturday and I work a 12-hour shift on Saturdays, but I hope some of you can enjoy this free zoom event.
Must pre-register here: Fall Conference 2025: Weird NJ Plants! - The Native Plant Society of New Jersey

# Fall Conference 2025: Weird NJ Plants!

New Jersey is home to more than 2,100 native plant species, yet many plant lists and gardens highlight only a small group of familiar species such as Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum), Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia spp.), and Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis). This year, the Native Plant Society of New Jersey is focusing on the less familiar species—the unusual, rare, and unique plants that make our state’s ecosystems so distinctive.

From parasitic plants that lack chlorophyll to carnivorous species that trap insects, from ancient plant lineages that predate the dinosaurs to aquatic plants that evolved on land before returning to water, New Jersey’s flora includes species that challenge our assumptions about how plants work. These “weird” plants aren’t just curiosities—they’re indicators of specialized habitats, key players in complex ecological relationships, and windows into evolutionary history. Understanding them helps us appreciate the full complexity of our native ecosystems and the importance of protecting diverse habitats.
With the kind permission of Weird NJ, our 2025 Fall Conference explores these botanical oddities. Join us as we highlight the “weird” side of New Jersey’s flora—and beyond.

Go here for more information and schedule and to register in advance, which you must do to participate. Remember, it's FREE.
Fall Conference 2025: Weird NJ Plants! - The Native Plant Society of New Jersey