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| Amaryllis in the Winter Flower Show |
Unlike last Sunday, today we have a beautiful warm day
outside. The incoming sunlight is
very bright and because of the glass walls and ceilings, the conservatory is
very bright. The high today is supposed to be around 55 degF. There are many
visitors enjoying the conservatory today.
I hear many of them talking about going outside to enjoy the warm
weather and to see the animals.
Many people are also enjoying the Winter Flower Show which is good, because
today starts the last week of this flower show. The Sunken Garden will close down in eight days to prepare
for the next flower show.
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| Sun shining through palm trees |
I had a very nice talk today with Kevyn, a fellow
volunteer. We discovered that in
addition to our interest in volunteering at the Como Conservatory, we have a
very similar educational background in forest ecology. Always nice to discuss forestry and
research with a colleague! So in
addition to having the opportunity to volunteer at the beautiful Como
Conservatory, I get to share plant knowledge with Como visitors, I get to
expand my knowledge in ethnobotany, I get to emerse my sensory perceptions in the beautiful
scenery, and now I get to socialize on a higher level with a fellow volunteer
and scientist.
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| Jelly Palm |
Today’s Plant of the Day is the Jelly Palm, Butia capitata, also known as Pindo Palm, found
in the Palm Dome. This palm is
considered to be one of the hardiest feather palms because it can tolerate very
cold temperatures even though it’s typically cultivated in warmer climates. The Jelly Palm produces
small fruit about the size of a cherry.
The taste is supposedly a mixture of vanilla, pineapple and apricot and
is reported to be tart and sweet at the same time. The fruit is used to make jams and jellies. It is used for landscaping purposes and
has been successfully grown in urban areas where air pollution, poor drainage, compacted
soil, and/or drought are common.
For more information:
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