Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden

Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden
Universiteit Stellenbosch Botaniese Tuin
Pathway through the lush vegetation in the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden
Location	Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
Coordinates	33°56′10″S 18°51′55″E / 33.93611°S 18.86528°E / -33.93611; 18.86528
Elevation	122 metres (400 ft)
Operated by	Stellenbosch University
Website	www.sun.ac.za/botanicalgarden

The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden located in the historical center of

. It is open to the public.

History

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The history of the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden dates back to 1902 when lecturer Augusta Vera Duthie grew plants next to the then Main Building on campus for research and student practicals. The Botanical Garden's current site dates back to 1922 when Gert Cornelius Nel, professor of botany at the time convinced the University Council to allocate land for the establishment of the Garden. Hans Herre was appointed as the first curator of the Garden in 1925. Curators of the botanical garden included Hans Herre (1925–1962), Wim Tijmens (1962–1999), Deon Kotze (1999–2012), Martin Smit (2013–2018), and Donovan Kirkwood (2018-).

The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden fulfills many functions within the university and the local community. The garden supports research and training of students within Stellenbosch University, and increasingly has a strong conservation focus with work on species on the brink of extinction. In 2018 the garden was accredited as a Conservation Practitioner by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).^[1] The local community and other visitors also utilize the garden for both relaxation and education.

Some facilities in the garden include: The Botanical Garden Shop, which functions as a visitor center but also sells various books, seeds and local plant products; A small specialist nursery and the Katjiepiering Restaurant. The garden itself is also utilized for sculpture exhibitions.^[2]

extinct in the wild, such as Erica verticillata

, can also be found in the garden. The garden also has various theme gardens and various specific plant collections.

Bonsai

The Western Cape Bonsai Heritage Collection is probably the biggest publicly accessible collection of bonsai in South Africa and features trees from well-known South African bonsai enthusiasts such as Becky Lucas, Gerjo van der Merwe and Louis Nel.^[3]

Ferns

A large collection of ferns can be found throughout the garden, especially in the two ferneries. Several species of

genera

represented in the collection.

Insectivorous plants

Several insectivorous plant species are grown in the garden, including pitcher plants (Nepenthes and Sarracenia) and sundews (Drosera).

Medicinal plants

Medicinal plants and herbs from all over the world and southern Africa can be found in the garden. Some indigenous medicinal plants found in the collection include: boegoe (

Lessertia frutescens), wild rosemary (Eriocephalus africanus), Pelargonium peltatum

and Tetradenia riparia to name a few.

Oxalis

The collection was started in 2001 and has grown to currently include about 70% of southern African species. It acts as both a reference and research collection, and houses almost all specimens included in the species-level molecular phylogenetic reconstruction of southern African Oxalis.

Succulents and xerophytes

A wide variety of

Welwitschia mirabilis, Aloidendron dichotomum (quiver tree), Xerosicyos danguyi (silver dollar vine), Dioscorea elephantipes (elephant's foot) and Pachypodium namaquanum

(halfmens). Rare vygies such as Herreanthus meyeri (named after Hans Herre), Meyerophytum meyeri and Fenestraria aurantiaca are also on display.

Trees

Some interesting trees that can be found in the garden include

Olea europaea) grown from cuttings taken from the Garden of Gethsemane, to various trees indigenous to southern Africa such as Nuxia floribunda (forest elder), to subtropical trees such as Cinnamomum verum

(cinnamon).

Gallery

• 
  Lotus (Nelumbo)
• 
  Entrance to the Botanical Garden
• 
  Vanda teres
• 
  King Protea (Protea cynaroides)
• 
  Succulent glasshouse
• 
  water-lily dams
• 
  water-lily dams in 2014
• 
  Victoria 'Longwood Hybrid'

See also

• List of botanical gardens in South Africa

References

1. ^ "Members review" (PDF). www.bgci.org. 2018. Retrieved 2020-01-08.
2. ^ Van den Berg, Samantha (9 October 2012). "R60 000 FOR SCULPTURE". Eikestad Nuus. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
3. ^ Nieuwoudt, Stephanie (6 September 2012). "Bonsai collection in SU Botanical Gardens gets official name". News from Stellenbosch University. Retrieved 14 December 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden.

• Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden website
• Botanic Gardens Conservation International website
• The Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden social media feeds provide news, updates and snippets regularly.