Lectures on Tap- Plants that Eat Animals: The Science of Carnivorous Plants

Professors, experts, and storytellers giving thought-provoking lectures in SF bars. 📍 Location: Exact address given in confirmation email 🧠 Lecture: "Plants that Eat Animals: The Science of Carnivorous Plants" 🎤 Speaker: Botanist, Matthew Gaston Carnivorous plants have awed, stunned, and puzzled scientists for centuries—and they still inspire wonder today. Join us for a fascinating deep dive into the origin, evolution, and natural history of these remarkable organisms, from the beloved Venus flytrap to the “possibly carnivorous” bromeliads of South America. In this engaging lecture, Matthew Gaston will explore how carnivorous plants evolved their unique lifestyles, unpacking the physiology and biochemistry behind plant carnivory and the ingenious traps they use to capture and digest animal prey. Attendees will leave with a comprehensive overview of all known carnivorous plant groups and a new appreciation for the elaborate strategies plants use to survive in challenging environments. Matthew Gaston holds a B.S. in Genetics & Plant Biology and an M.S. in Tropical Plant and Soil Science. Formerly Director of Education at Zilker Botanical Garden in Austin, he has inspired students, gardeners, and the plant-curious nationwide through field trips, nursery talks, bar lectures, and live streams. Get a drink, connect, and learn at Lectures on Tap! 🙌 Agenda 6:30 PM – Doors open: find a seat (open seating!), order food & drinks, and expect a bar line—arriving early is key. 6:55 PM – Host introduction 7:00 PM – Lecture begins 7:45 PM – Audience Q&A 8:00 PM – Have 1:1 time with the speaker, mingle with fellow guests, and order another round 8:30 PM – Wrap up.