North-West University Botanical Garden

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Coordinates: 26°40′55.01″S 27°05′43.19″E / 26.6819472°S 27.0953306°E / -26.6819472; 27.0953306
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North West Province of South Africa. The Garden spans just under three hectares and is open to the public.[1][2]

History

The history of the North-West University Botanical Garden dates back to 1962 when dr. Wynand Louw, a botany lecturer, requested land from the then

xerophytes as well as tropical and subtropical plants. In 1982 the Botanical Garden was officially opened to the public. Past curators include Bert Ubbink (1973-2003), Peter Mortimer (2003-2007), Martin Smit (2007-2011) and Chris van Niekerk (2012- ).[1][2][3]

Key functions and activities

The North-West University Botanical Garden fulfills many key functions within the

Millennium Seed Bank Project.[5]

The Garden also provides may educational opportunities to visitors and the local community. Visitor friendly plant labels, emphasizing common plant names and plant uses, are used throughout the Garden.[1] The Garden also regularly supports community projects such as creation of school and community gardens.[1] In 2008 a partnerships was established with the North-West University Science Centre to also give local school groups exposure to the biological sciences during the annual National Science Week by providing suitable programming in the Botanical Garden.[1][6]

In 2008 an old hall in the office building, that once housed the

the North-West University Gallery for various art exhibitions and also as a classroom for visiting school groups.[1] Art exhibitions are held in the Gallery and Botanical Garden year round. The Garden also serves as an official venue for the Aardklop National Arts Festival since 2008.[1]

Plant collection

Frithia humilis grown for research and conservation purposes in the North-West University Botanical Garden
Prototulbaghia siebertii grown for conservation and research, flourishing in the North-West University Botanical Garden

The North-West University Botanical Garden is located in Potchefstroom, in the Highveld region of South Africa. This region is characterized by cold dry winters with frequent frost and hot summers with regular thundershowers. Temperatures as low as minus 10 °C have been recorded in the Botanical Garden during winter.

Garden and theme gardens

Even though the North-West University Botanical Garden spans less than three hectares more than a 1500 plant species is found here.

Searsia, Stapelia and Zantedeschia
.

Tropical greenhouse

In the tropical greenhouse a variety of tropical and subtropical plants from all over the world are present. Some of the plants include a variety of food and medicinal plants including

Ansellia africana (leopard orchid) and Mystacidium capense, are grown there. Other interesting plants on display include Amorphophallus titanum (giant corpse flower), Hydnophytum formicarum (ant plant), Heliconia humilis (lobster plant), Nepenthes alata (pitcher plant) and Ravenala madagascariensis (travelers palm).[1] In 2010 Victoria cruziana (giant Amazon waterlily) was also successfully grown in the tropical greenhouse which drew numerous curious visitors to the Garden. This was the first successful recorded cultivation in many decades for South Africa.[7][8]

Succulent greenhouse

In the succulent greenhouse a variety of succulents and other

Welwitschia mirabilis, Frithia humilis (fairy elephant's feet) and Euphorbia louwii (named after dr. Wynand Louw). Some locally threatened plants such as Nananthus vittatus, (bushveld vygie), Aloe peglerae (red hot poker aloe), Euphorbia knobelii, Euphorbia perangusta and Lithops lesliei (living stones) are also on display.[1]

Gallery

  • North-West University Botanical Garden entrance
    North-West University Botanical Garden entrance
  • Students completing practical assignments in the Garden
    Students completing practical assignments in the Garden
  • Man-made waterfall in the Garden
    Man-made waterfall in the Garden
  • Visitor friendly plant label
    Visitor friendly plant label
  • Low-maintenance Tulbaghia violacea maze/labyrinth
    Low-maintenance Tulbaghia violacea maze/labyrinth
  • First flower of Victoria cruziana grown in 2010
    First flower of Victoria cruziana grown in 2010
  • Nananthus vittatus
    Nananthus vittatus
  • Sculpture exhibition 2008
    Sculpture exhibition 2008
  • Bonatea polypodantha
    Bonatea polypodantha
  • Mystacidium capense
    Mystacidium capense
  • Dierama pendulum
    Dierama pendulum

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Smit, Martin; Cilliers; Siebert; Willis (March 2011). "The North-West University Botanical Garden". Veld & Flora. 97 (1): 11–13.
  2. ^ a b "North-West University Botanical Garden". BGCI Plant Search Database. BGCI. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Botaniese tuin op kampus in gebruik geneem". PU-Kaner. February 1983.
  4. S2CID 45409345. Archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2013-05-06.
  5. ^ Scheppel, Kiewiet (10 March 2011). "Puk ensures survival of critically endangered plant". NWU News. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  6. ^ Nel, Nikki (3 September 2010). "Volunteers learn how to plant trees". NWU News. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  7. ^ Ciliers, Susan (21 February 2011). "Skaars lelie leef voort in Potch". Beeld.
  8. ^ Scheppel, Kiewiet (18 February 2011). "Puk grows impressive plant specie". NWU News. Retrieved 21 August 2012.

External links

26°40′55.01″S 27°05′43.19″E / 26.6819472°S 27.0953306°E / -26.6819472; 27.0953306

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