was founded by Willis Linn Jepson in 1913 and has served a major role in advancing western American botany. Since 1916, the Society has published the peer-reviewed, scientific journal Madroño, the leading source of research articles on the natural history of western American botanical organisms (including those of Mexico, Central America, and South America). The Society welcomes membership by all interested individuals worldwide and encourages members to submit manuscripts on original research to the Editor of Madroño for consideration as publications in the journal. Articles and notes (in English or Spanish) on ecology, systematics, floristics, conservation biology, and other areas of organismal botany are routinely published in Madroño, in addition to noteworthy collections. The Society sponsors annual or biennial graduate student meetings and an annual banquet at various locations in California.