Today
Today the conservatory contains approximately 1,700 plant species. Its collection of high-altitude orchids - more than 700 of the 1,000 known species - is described as the largest and most comprehensive public collection in the world. Representative plants from its collections include:
- Lowland Tropics - including balsa, bamboo, banana, chocolate, cinnamon, coffee, taro, and vanilla, as well as Dioon spinulosum, Philodendron speciosum, Phoenix roebelinii, and Zamia lindenii.
- Highland Tropics - high-altitude orchids (pleurothallids) native to mid-elevations in Central and South America, as well as bromeliads, Chusquea circinata, Dracula spp., Trichoceros parviflorus.
- Aquatic Plants - Victoria amazonica, V. cruziana, etc.
- Carnivorous plants-Nepenthes spp., Drosera ssp.
- Potted Plants - various potted plants displayed on benches.
In May 2005, a corpse flower species Amorphophallus titanum bloomed, attracting more than 16,000 visitors. The Conservatory also welcomed its 500,000th visitor since reopening. The special exhibit of Summer '08 is called "The Butterfly Zone," showcasing a dazzling array of more than 25 species of colorful butterflies, as well as Night Safaris that let you search with flashlights for nocturnal moths.
Read more about this topic: Conservatory Of Flowers
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