Did you know that the Medical Center Library has a garden?
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As the weather gets warmer, we invite you to visit our terrace on the north side of the Seeley Mudd building, facing Duke Hospital, to explore the garden. The Medical Center Library's garden emphasizes the close ties between botany and medicine and provides students and scholars with an introduction to the importance of plants in medicine.
Explore more about the history of the garden here: Medical Center Library Garden.
Interested in contemplating the natural world? We have a number of titles in our collection that explore the human–plant relationship. Check one out to enjoy while reading in the fresh air.
Iwígara : American Indian ethnobotanical traditions and science, Enrique Salmón
Salmón teaches us the ways plants are used as food and medicine, their identification and harvest, and their role in traditional stories and knowledge.
The botany of desire : a plant's eye view of the world, Michael Pollan
Pollan weaves science and storytelling into a look at how plants and humans shape one another.
The drunken botanist, Amy Stewart
An exploration of the plants behind many of the world’s great drinks and their cultural impact.
A little queer natural history, Josh L. Davis
A look at the diversity of sex and reproduction across animals, plants, and fungi.
Fifty plants that changed the course of history, Bill Laws
A guide to plants that have had a major impact on human civilization.
Our staff are busy this spring planting their own gardens. Enjoy a few highlights:
What is your garden's personality?
My garden's personality is the Practical Dreamer... – Sarah Cantrell
My garden's personality is the Class Clown! – Hope Riffee
What are you excited to grow this year?
My roma tomatoes did so well last year... – Sarah Cantrell
I am excited to grow black garbanzo beans... – Hope Riffee
If you could be one plant in your garden, what would you be and why?
Probably one of the native wildflowers... – Sarah Cantrell
Mexican sunflower! – Hope Riffee
What's the most dramatic thing that has ever happened in your garden?
The morning glories started to strangle the peppers. – Sarah Cantrell
I saw a groundhog scale the fence! – Hope Riffee
From our gardens:
Photos from Sarah's garden
Photos of Hope's seedlings