An eight-week medicinal botany class will be held at Haywood Community College beginning May 19 through July 14. The class will explore the historical, botanical and traditional uses of medicinal plants, including Southern Appalachian native herbs.

The instructor, Richard Gualandi, Jr., is a graduate of HCC and Western Carolina University, and holds a master’s degree in plant science from the University of Tennessee. Gualandi currently works for the N.C. Bionetwork’s Biobusiness Center and Lab helping natural products businesses with product development and analysis of medicinal plants.

Course information will be offered in an online format and will meet for lab sessions on campus two Saturdays, covering basic herbal preparation techniques and common cultivation methods.

The cost of the class is $100. 828.565.4244 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..