The production of flax fiber and the morphology of a carnivorous plant are the botanical curiosities at the center of the Summer Solstice Festival which will take place on Friday 21 June 2024, from 5.30pm to 8pm at the Kosmos Museum of the University of Pavia.
Summer Solstice Festival
There Summer Solstice Festival it is an unmissable event for fans of botany, organized by Lombardy Botanical Gardens Network as part of the SVING – Living Science in the Garden project. This year the XXI edition will be held on Friday 21 June 2024, from 5.30pm to 8.00pm, at the Kosmos Museum of the University of Pavia. An event that is a special opportunity for approach the issues of biodiversity.
Production of flax fibre
There production of flax fibrederived from the plant Linum usotatissimumis a fascinating and ancient process that involves several phases:
- Collection: Flax plants are harvested when the seeds are ripe, but before the plant dries out too much.
- Maceration: The stems are immersed in water to decompose the pectic substances that bind the fibers to the wood of the stem.
- Drying: After maceration, the stems are dried.
- Skinning: The fibers are separated from the woody stem through a beating process.
- Combing: The fibers are combed to align them and remove impurities.
During the festival, there will be an interactive station dedicated to the flax plant, where visitors can experience fiber extraction first hand and discover the secrets of this extraordinary plant.
Carnivorous Plants
One of the plants on display will be the Dionea muscipula, a carnivorous plant also known as “Venus Flytrap”. These plants are fascinating for their ability to capture and digest insects. The leaves of the Dionea are equipped with sensitive hairs which, when touched, they trigger the leaves to close rapidly, trapping the insect inside. Subsequently, the plant secretes digestive enzymes which they break down the insect to absorb nutrients.
Exhibition of Botanical Models
Due to the renovation works at the Botanical Garden of the University of Pavia, the event will be hosted at Kosmos – Natural History Museum, where there will be six didactic botanical models from the 19th century are on display, selected from the 150 in the historical collection of the University of Pavia. Exposed species include:
- Linum usotatissimum (Flax)
- Aconitum napellus (Aconite)
- Dionea muscipula (Venus flytrap)
- Taxus baccata (Yew)
- Linaria vulgaris (Common weedfly)
- Equisetum (Horsetail)
These models not only represent biodiversity but also the beauty and complexity of the botanical world.
For more details on the event and the project, you can visit site of the Botanical Garden of the University of Pavia and that of the Lombardy Botanical Gardens Network. Entrance to the event is free.
