UCSC Greenhouses
MCDBiology
Sinsheimer Labs
University of California
Santa Cruz,
CA 95064
Phone: (831) 459-3485
Fax: (831) 459-3139
Locations & Hours
Campus Map
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INSTRUCTIONAL GREENHOUSES
On the rooftop of Thimann labs is where you’ll find the UCSC Greenhouses and botanical collections. The facility is funded by the Division of Physical and Biological Sciences and the Divsion of Social Sciences and serves students in various fields of study in the campus community.
Five greenhouses and two large outdoor areas hold a collection of diverse plants from around the world. Our labeled botanical collection is comprised of over 700 species of plants with an emphasis on ethno botany, systematic botany, evolution and ecology.
We have two large outdoor covered areas with tables and chairs used as an outdoor classrooms. There is a large lab that can accommodate classes up to 38 students. Displays are set up for many classes to facilitate comprehension of complex lecture topics. Classes, discussion sections or TA office hours can be scheduled throughout the year. Wireless internet access and a small library of books related to plants and plant science complement the facility. If you would like your class to meet here, please contact Jim Velzy. Small groups or indiviguals are welcome anytime. We are open throughout the year, weekdays from 9:00am to 3:00pm, for students, faculty and staff to enjoy and learn. To get on the roof of Thimann labs, take the stairs on the west side of the building. (directions)
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OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
The UCSC Greenhouses sponsors 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 welwitschia, 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 and can live for over a thousand years in this harsh environment. These plants are used by students studying evolution and the various unusual adaptations plants have evolved to survive in extreme environmental niches. |
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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 is pictured showing its pendulous flowers and pitcher shaped leaves.
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Our tropical greenhouse has many plants found in rainforests around the world. Chocolate trees, Allspice, vanilla, coffee, tea, ginger, and pineapple are just a few of the many plants on display. Students studying ethnobotany 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 Thimann roof full of aquatic plants. These areas provide us with a wider variety of plants for use in courses such as Systematic Botany and Freshwater Ecology. |
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We grow many plants for restoration programs at the Thimann facility. These plants are used by the UCSC Natural Reserves, UCSC Site Stewardship Program and by campus facilities. Students work through independent studies, internships and volunteer work to grow the plants, monitor local habitats and establish these plants in the field. To find out more on this, vist our restoration page . |
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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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