The long awaited publication of Legumes of Arizona: An Illustrated Flora and Reference was celebrated on September 26, 2024 at the University of Arizona Herbarium in Tucson, Arizona. The celebration took place with a lecture on the history of the entire Legume Project combined with a lunch of legume based snacks. Of the 28 illustrators, 15 were SWSBA members, and did more than half of the illustrations. SWSBA members started working on the illustrations in 2011. We have been looking forward to the publication for a long, long time. Michelle “Shelley” M. McMahon delivered the lecture with PowerPoint slides and the lecture was streamed as well. Matthew B. Johnson was recognized and thanked for his contributions as botanist, illustrator and editorial committee member. Books were distributed to those contributors present and gathered up to be delivered to those who could not attend.
Herring Hall, the home of the University of Arizona Herbarium and the second oldest building on campus (1903), was the venue for the celebration.
Legumes of Arizona as they arrived from the printer.
Susan and Shelley going over book lists.
Piles of books being sorted. Each book was labeled with the recipient’s name and had a thank you note from the editorial committee tucked inside.
Here it is, finally.
Lunch preparations.
Shelley lecturing about the project. White screen actually had a slide show and it was being streamed.
Celebration lecture while participants eat legume based snacks.
Matt Johnson being recognized and thanked for all his work.
Celebration winding down.
Shelly looks at program slide.
Susan Ashton and Matt Johnson catch up on recent activity.
Marceline shares photos.
Matt signing books. From left to right Margaret, Chris and Susan.
From left to right: Marceline VandeWater, Chris Bondante, Margaret Pope, Michelle “Shelley” M. McMahon, Matthew B. Johnson, Susan E. Ashton with book
