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Franklin Park Conservatory

Ohio, United States

1777 E. Broad St. Columbus

800) 214-PARK

http://www.fpconservatory.org

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shadow plant © Michael Rosa

Franklin Park Conservatory, Ohio, United States

Category: Open
Date Shot: Wed, Feb 24, 2010

Camera: Canon Digital 30d
Lens: n/a
Filter: n/a

Submitted: Fri, Mar 26, 2010
Viewed: 95 times
Rating: 2 ×

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Courtney Denning wrote on Thu, May 22, 2008 [ Send Email ]

A plant ecology field trip to the Columbus Franklin Park Conservatory allowed my classmates and I the unique opportunity to travel through different parts of the world based on the plants found growing in these locations. The FPC has a huge greenhouse featuring biome rooms, large glass sculptures by John Chihuly and special collections of bonsai and orchids (Sobralia rosea, Yellow Red, Purple Close-up). The biomes include: The Himalayan Mountains, Tropical Rainforest (Water Streamlet, Oncidium globuliferum, Vine Ceiling, Vinyl Streamlets, Oncidium globuliferum 2), Arid Desert (Thorny Cacti, Green Droplets, Cacti Close-up, My Truffala Trees) and the Pacific Islands (Dont Be Koi).rnrnAs a student tired of long lectures indoors with only PowerPoint examples of the plants being studied, I was eager to get up close and personal with these exotic plants. Trees are my passion; they’re why I’m studying botany today, so the bonsai exhibit was of particular interest to me. I’ve always wanted to grow my own miniature trees, but I haven’t quite figured the process out yet.rnrnAt the time, the orchid collection was of little interest to me. Yes, orchids have gorgeous flowers, but they seemed the sort of plant someone with a lot of money and time on their hands would tend to. Not a budding plant ecologist. Almost a year later, and after a few more ecology courses, I marvel at these unique plants! Some species of orchid (unfortunately none that I recall seeing at FPC) mimic the appearance of female wasps (they even smell like them!) so that male wasps attempt to mate with them, and in the process pollinate the orchid flower. The male wasp doesn’t seem to realize his partner isn’t a wasp, let alone not even an insect, and will mate/pollinate other orchids in the area. The flavoring vanilla also comes from orchids, a parasitic species.rnAfter a recent tropical plant ecology course, I feel the need to revisit the Franklin Park Conservatory. It was refreshing to see so many different species of plants in one place as we walked from the cool, moist air of the “Himalayan Mountains” into the thick, humid and warm climate of the “Tropical Rainforest.” The “Arid Desert” contained interesting “viney” cacti and palms that resembled Dr. Seuss’s truffala trees from The Lorax. Like the Lorax, the FPC offers an important message on the importance of biodiversity and conservation. One I hope to review again soon through future visits and the continuation of my studies.

Monnie Ryan wrote on Thu, Nov 29, 2007 [ Send Email ]

The Conservatory has constant appeal because it's always changing. My husband and I once enjoyed an collection of unique glass art by renowned artist Dale Chihuly; many of those works were purchased and now are on permanent exhibit. Another great place is the butterfly room, a "rainforest" that also offers terrific photo opps. Our most recent visit included an Iris show -- events like this are common, as are weddings and receptions (one of which we were privileged to see in development).

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