Dr. Maddox shows the pink flower on a South African plant, the only specimen from the Rhodohypoxidaceae family in his extensive personal collection of plants from all over the world. 

Dr. Victor Maddox, Senior Research Associate at Mississippi State University, has had a lifelong fascination with plants that has inspired him to collect thousands of specimens from all over the globe.  His collection is housed on 9 acres near Maben, MS and includes both outdoor plants and several greenhouses.

Dr. Maddox holds a bachelor’s degree in horticulture with a minor in botany from Southeast Missouri State University, a master’s degree from MSU in agronomy and a doctorate from MSU in agronomy specializing in turf and native grasses, with a minor in plant taxonomy. During college, he managed a private university collection of about 7,000 hybrid orchids, some dating to the 1940s. Now he manages his personal collection. The collection is arranged thematically with Old World plants from Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe in front of the house. The backyard has plants from the New World — North and South America.

Dr. Maddox is regarded as the premier plant taxonomist in the Southeastern United States.  Join us for this evening with Dr. Maddox to learn about his life’s work and passion for plants.

NOTE:  Memphis Horticultural Society members also have an opportunity to visit Dr. Maddox and tour his rare plant collection during our June 16 Field Trip.  Details to come.