IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29070, 5 December 1959, Page 7

IN THE BOTANIC GARDENS

Items Of Interest This Week

Among the many specimen trees which grace the Botanic Gardens, few could be more striking than the two Indian chestnuts (Aesculus indica), two specimens of which may be seen in flower at present on the lawn west of the Magnetic Observatory.

This handsome tree is a native of the north-west Himalayas and is valuable because of its late flowering habit. In nature it is a tree of more than 100 feet in height with a short, very thick trunk. The leaves are large and quite distinct from those of the common horse chestnut; usually they have seven leaflets and are dark shiny green above. The panicles of flowers are very tall and erect and are often 12 or more inches long, also they are characterised by being very narrow. The flowers are pure white with a blotch of yellow and red in the bases of the upper petals. Rock Garden.— ln this delightful section of the Gardens many rock and alpine plants are in flower. Among the plants to be noted are Dianthus, Campanula and Pentstemon.

Bog Garden.— ln the western part of the Gardens is the bog garden which at this time of the year is particularly restful. At present waterlilies, Japanese Iris and other waterside plants are flowering. Cunningham Glasshouse.—A varied and interesting collection of tropical foliage and flowering plants from many parts of the world is on display. Upstairs in the gallery are plants such as Stephanotis floribunda, Clerodendrum speciosa, Plumbago capensis and Kohleria amabile; while nlants .grown for their foliage include Croton in variety, Acalypha. Sansevieria and Cordyline. In flower is a fine shrub of Medinilla magnifica, a tropical shrub from the which bears large pendant trusses of pink flowers. At the southern end of the gallery is a fine specimen of Taro, one of the staple food plants, of the Pacific Islanders. Downstairs in addition to the many foliage plants may be seen Stromanthe sanguinea. Anthurium and African Violets in flower.

Townend Glasshouse.— On display in the southern side of the house is a display of Coleus and in the centre of the house may be seen Zonal and Show Pelargoniums. Other plants of interest include Streptocarpus, Begonia glaucophylla and basket Begonias. Garrick House.— Cactus and succulent plants from the various regions of the world are on display. At present several species of cactus are in flower.