All too often, we take the importance of plants for granted. We are, in fact, blind to them. So how do we learn to see—and appreciate—the more than 300,000 types of plants around us? The answer lies in these 24 richly illustrated lessons, which train your eyes to see the world like an expert botanist.

Dr. Catherine Kleier, who’s spent her life teaching and researching botany, has designed this course to help you not just notice plants, but actually see them. You’ll explore around 50 of the most common plant families in North America, as well as some of the fascinating species within them (some of which you can likely find in your own backyard). Along the way, you’ll learn about the history of botanical science, tips and tricks botanists use to identify seemingly similar plants, and the myriad ways plants help define what it means to be human.

You’ll focus on common plant families with a large number of species. Some of the many plant families you’ll get better acquainted with in these lessons include Orchidaceae, arguably the most speciose family on the planet; and Apiaceae, a plant family whose members include spices (cilantro, celery, fennel, and caraway) and toxic plants (poison hemlock). And the incredible types of plants you’ll come across include everything from water lilies and lavender to exploding cucumbers and corpse flowers.

Once you’ve learned the language of plants, you’ll have familiar acquaintances every time you go outside to revel in nature.