We have a wealth of herbaceous life all around us here at Merry Lea, etc. but the full cadre of plant groups are not represented. Therefore...we need a field trip! Botanical gardens are great local resources for seeing lots of plants from different regions and climate zones. During this lab we will specifically focus on three groups that we don't get to normally see around us: cycads, desert plants, and tropical plants!
During this lab you will spend some time (virtually) roaming around botanical gardens learning more about these groups of plants (cycads, tropical plants, dessert plants). Keep in mind that when exploring botanical gardens we are not necessarily seeing natural species assemblages but instead are seeing artificial diversity designed to showcase as many species as possible within a confined space. Therefore, make sure to focus in on the individual plant level and the full assemblage of species present but don't pay too much attention to the community level (which plants grow next to other plants) as the communities you see are not what you would see in the wild.
Note that I have found two great virtual tours for you - listed below in the background info with details and maps. You are not required to do both of them but I wanted to provide you with some options. The first one - the US botanical gardens - is great, extensive, and when you zoom in you can read the name plates for many of the plants found in the virtual tour (which is important!). The second one is Buffalo gardens. The gardens themselves are a little underwhelming and it can be hard to read the name placards but the virtual tour format is very immersive.
For this lab you need to find 15 plants that interest you and that cannot grow outdoors in Northern Indiana. At least one of these plants needs to be a cycad, another needs to be a cactus, and another needs to be an angiosperm from the tropics. The 12 remaining plants are completely up to you! For each of your selected plants do a little internet research and include the following on your website:
full scientific name
reason you were drawn to this specimen initially (before you did any research)
region & climate zone that it is from
conservation status (endangered, threatened, etc.)
short paragraph containing 3 to 4 really interesting facts you learned while doing research
pictures (screen shots from virtual tours) and descriptions (as mentioned above) for each of your 15 selected specimens [50 points]
one paragraph at the end describing your experience of viewing types of plants in a botanical garden. What was it like? What struck you? What questions do you have? [10 points]
Garden Court: The colorful foliage and flowers create a beautiful setting to feature economic and ethno-botanical plants used in products that provide our fibers, food, beverages, cosmetics, wood, species and more.
The Tropics: A tropical rainforest overtakes an abandoned plantation. The dome rises to 93 feet and has a mezzanine level from which to view the jungle canopy.
Plant Adaptations: Shows some of the fascinating adaptations that have evolved in the plant world.
Garden Primeval: A reconstructed Jurassic landscape of ferns and other ancient plant groups that have survived for 150 million years.
Hawaii: A collection plants native to Hawaii, where species have adapted to live in the specialized conditions of the remote volcanic islands.
World Deserts: Filled with succulents, grasses, shrubs and other flowering plants.
Medicinal Plants: Explores the origins of plant medicine and displays a collection of medicinal plants from all over the world.
Orchids: An ever-blooming, ever-changing display of these mythic plants. Our orchid collection numbers about 5,000 specimens, with hundreds on display at any given time.
Rare and Endangered Species: A changing display of rare, threatened or endangered plants and habitats.
Southern Exposure: OUTDOOR - NOT ON THE VIRTUAL TOUR - A micro-climate outdoor garden featuring North American plants native to the Southeast, the Southwest, and Mexico.
Children's Garden: OUTDOOR - NOT ON THE VIRTUAL TOUR - an outdoor area where children can play in a garden and learn informally about plants.
Palm Dome House 1: Standing at 67' tall, the Palm Dome is full of magnificent palms and tropical fruit trees. The long-term renovation project, “The Buffalo Meridian”, started here. This plan takes visitors on a tour through the Gardens and around the world along the Buffalo Meridian connecting us to other people, places and plants. The Palm Dome is home to a beautiful and diverse collection of palms and other tropical plants native to areas throughout the world.
Aquatic Garden House 2: This exhibit includes a peaceful pond and a family of koi, and a beautiful flowform water feature that is surrounded by a collection of amazing plants native to southeast Asia.
Asian Rainforest House 3: A redesigned waterfall is surrounded by a collection of bamboo and other horticulture treasures found in southeast Asia. This exhibit also features a decorative tea house, a moon gate, a collection of orchids, bonsai and more.
Cacti and Succulents House 4: This collection features many varieties found in American deserts, including the giant cacti and agave plants. Highlights include lithops, euphorbs and sansevierias found in African deserts and a unique collection of succulents from South Africa. Giant cacti and agave plants from the Americas are featured, as well as a variety of euphorbia and succulents.
Ivy, Carnivorous Plants & Medicinal Garden House 5: The largest public ivy collection in the world is featured here. Highlights also include herbs, bonsai, carnivorous plants, the ever popular sensitive plant, flowering tropical plants and the Medicinal Garden. Made possible by D’Youville College School of Pharmacy and Mercy Hospital, part of Catholic Health, the Medicinal Garden is a place to learn how plants relate to our everyday lives. Check our website for upcoming special presentations. Special collections in this greenhouse include:
Begonias House 6: Begonias have vibrant colors and unusually textured leaves. A special begonia traced back more than 100 years calls this greenhouse home. Rotating seasonal exhibits can also be found here.
Orchids House 8: Enjoy an exotic variety of common and unusual species of orchids displayed in full bloom. Our Orchid collection has numerous species on display throughout the Gardens. The magnificent fragrances emanating from these tropical beauties will call you back time and time again.
Tropical Plants House 9: Home to amazing flowering tropical plants
Panama Cloud Forest House 11: Visitors experience epiphytes the way they would live 200’ above the rainforest floor. Exotic orchids, bromeliads and tillandsia varieties are part of this exhibit. The Cloud Forest highlights a number of plants native to Panama and other areas of Central America. These tropical plants are largely epiphytic and are used to living high up in the canopy of the rainforest. Exotic orchids, bromeliads, and a number of tropical trees can be found in the Panama Cloud Forest.
Florida Everglades House 12: This immersive exhibit showcases the importance of maintaining wetlands, the natural water filtration system of the world. Highlights include native habitats, a vivarium, mangrove trees and a honey bee observation hive.
Best cycad collection I have ever seen!
A cycad without a mate - so sad....
A quick look at some palms!
This man loves cacti!