February 11th
Program Notes

Our speaker was Kristen Jepsen, Director of the IGM Genomics Center at UCSD. Another reason we should want to hear about the DNA studies is that the hybridization of living things (animals or plants) can benefit from the use of genomics, the study of their DNA. It is being used today to plan the foods you may (or may not) eat tomorrow. One day it may be possible to check the identity and track down the theft of bromeliad hybrids. This was a fascinating and technical subject. Kristen kept her descriptions to an understandable level. 

Wallisia cyanea

Just a few of the many genera in the bromeliad world...

Aechmea
Alcantarea
Ananas
Billbergia
​Bromelia
Cannistrum Cryptanthus
Dyckia
Guzmania
Hechtia
Hohenbergia
Neoregelia
Nidularium
Portea
Orthophytum
Pitcairnia
Puya
​Quesnelia
Sincoraea
​Tillandsia
Vriesea