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INSTRUCTIONAL GREENHOUSES: 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. |
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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 ecological 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. |
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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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