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INSTRUCTIONAL GREENHOUSES
On the rooftop of Thimann labs is where you’ll find the UCSC Greenhouses and botanical collections. We have six greenhouses filled with fascinating plants from around the world. We have two large outdoor areas for you to stroll around and see various collections of diverse plants. We have a large outdoor covered area for studying or to just take in the beauty. To get on the roof of Thimann labs, take the stairs on the west side of the building to the top.
Our labeled botanical collection is comprised of over 1,000 species of plants with an emphasis on ethno botany, systematic botany, evolution and ecology. The five greenhouses, outdoor areas and a lab classroom are available to the campus community. Discussion and lab classes meet here to complement many course in biology and environmental studies. As the facility is funded by the two largest divisions on campus, the UCSC Greenhouses is a facility that hosts many students in various fields outside of the plant sciences. We are open throughout the year, weekdays from 9:00am to 3:00pm, for students, faculty and staff to enjoy and learn.
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
The UCSC Greenhouses sponsor internships and volunteers from time to time. These vary as to their content. We are open to suggestions on possible topics, so stop by and strike up a conversation.
We have a few students who work about 10 hours per week at the UCSC Greenhouses. These positions are posted on the Career Center web site in the beginning of Fall and end of Spring quarters. Find out more about student opportunities here.
All students whether or not they are in plant related classes are encouraged to visit the facility to discover the interesting, exciting and diverse plant collection.
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THE PLANTS
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Our California plant collection is primarily plants of the Santa Cruz area but also encompasses plants from the entire region. These plants are mostly used by students studying taxonomy and anthropological aspects of our local natives. The California plants are grouped together and are labeled with their genus species and common name and plant family. |
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The plants in our evolutionary important collection are extremely diverse. We have plants that are represented by all of the major plant classes, Bryophytes, Seedless Vascular Plants-Psilophyta (Whisk Fern), Lycophyta (Fern Allies), Sphenophyta (Horsetails), Pterophyta (Ferns), Gymnosperms- Ginkgophyta, Gnetophyta, Cycadophyta, Coniferophyta, and Angiosperms (Flowering Plants). Some, like the welwitchia, are extremely fascinating. This plant grows in the Nimibian Desert, an area of the earth that receives less than two inches of rain a year. It has only two leaves yet it can live for over a hundred years in this harsh environment. These plants are used by students studying evolution and the various unusual adaptations that plants have evolved in order to survive in the extreme environmental niches in the world. |
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We have a large collection of carnivorous plants. They are our biggest draw. There are many ways that these plants catch and digest their prey. They are extremely beautiful and bizarre.The Sarracenia or pither plant, are pictured showing their pendulous flowers.
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Our tropical greenhouse has many plants used by man today. Chocolate trees, Allspice, vanilla, coffee, tea, ginger, and pineapple are just a few of the many plants on display. Students studying tropical agriculture have a valuable resource available for them here on the rooftop. |
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We also have Myrmecopilous plants. These are plants that have a symbiotic relationship with ants in the wild. These plants provide housing and sometimes food to the ants in exchange for protection. Ants will guard these plants fiercely if the plant is in jeopardy of being eaten. We do not have the ants at our facility because many are biting and stinging ants that are illegal to import into the US. |
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We have three ponds on the roof. These are areas where we grow aquatic plants used for fresh water studies. |
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We grow many plants for restoration ecology at the Thimann facility. Plants are used by the campus reserves, campus facilities and by local state parks programs. Students work through independent studies and senior thesis' to grow the plants, monitor local habitats and establish these plants in the field. |
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Additional plant groupings are:
- Aquatic plants
- Bromeliads
- Cactus and succulents
- Epiphytes
- Herbs and Spices
- Medicinal plants
- Orchids
TOURS
Tours are given by special arrangement. Contact Jim Velzy or phone (831) 459-3485.
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