Photo Credit: Nancy Tristan Ophrys apifera : Photo Credit Chicago Botanic Garden
MOS Monthly Meeting
TUESDAY, September 19 at 7:00 pm
Will be held in-person at our new venue at the
Community Methodist Church, Hart Lounge,
801 Via De La Paz, Pacific Palisades, 90272
"On the Orchid Trail in Southeastern
France: the Orchids of the Valley of Saint
Genis"
by Nancy Benay
We are honored to host Nancy Benay who will showcase the rich biodiversity and native
orchids of the Valley of Saint Genis. In French, the Vallon de Saint Genis is considered to
be among the top five orchid habitats in France with its more than forty species, hybrids,
and curious pelorics that are found throughout the hills and the meadows in the valley.
Nancy Benay is a retired university administration, a long-time orchid hobbyist, and
Francophile. An Assistant Editor for the Orchid Digest, she has served on their Editorial
Committee since 2011 and was the Secretary for the Corporation from 2012-2017. She
began her fascination for terrestrial orchids, particularly European Native Orchids, in 2008.
Since then, she has become familiar with the hundreds of species found in France, partly
by participating in guided day tours organized by Regional Orchid Associations that are
under the umbrella of France’s National Orchid Society based in Paris. This enabled her
to meet many native orchid specialists and to visit numerous extraordinary habitats
throughout the Hexagon.
Nancy’s in-depth familiarity with France and her affinity for its indigenous orchids have
resulted in her leading three organized tours: the first took place in 2016 under the
auspices of the Orchid Conservation Alliance, the second two sponsored by the Orchid
Digest followed in 2018 and May 2023. If you enjoy travelogs to orchid habitats, don’t miss
this wonderful occasion for a virtual trip to Southeastern France.
Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome to attend! Attendance is free.
About us
Come join us this fall at our new location in the Pacific Palisades.
We are an award winning, volunteer run, 501(c) (3) non-profit organization formed in the spring of 1963 to develop interest in orchids; to aid and assist members with orchid growing and culture; and to provide educational information, which shall benefit its members and the community.
At each meeting members benefit from expert speakers who present illustrated talks on various orchid genera and their culture. Members display orchids for ribbon judging each month and share tips on how their plants are grown. The Society also holds a silent plant auction as well as a raffle table for orchids. Upcoming events are announced and fellow orchid enthusiasts consult with each other on the culture of various orchid species.
Come join us this fall at our new location in the Pacific Palisades.
We are an award winning, volunteer run, 501(c) (3) non-profit organization formed in the spring of 1963 to develop interest in orchids; to aid and assist members with orchid growing and culture; and to provide educational information, which shall benefit its members and the community.
At each meeting members benefit from expert speakers who present illustrated talks on various orchid genera and their culture. Members display orchids for ribbon judging each month and share tips on how their plants are grown. The Society also holds a silent plant auction as well as a raffle table for orchids. Upcoming events are announced and fellow orchid enthusiasts consult with each other on the culture of various orchid species.