I've posted several times about how much I love the
UC Botanical Garden. Another of my favorite plant destinations in the Bay Area is the
Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park. It's a big 19th century glass greenhouse that contains a stunning collection of tropical plants, including the largest
Philodendron in cultivation, a 100+ year old specimen that is the centerpiece of the Tropical Lowland room. I always forget to take a picture of the conservatory itself when I visit, but
here's a decent example from Wikimedia.
The Conservatory also hosts a delightful collection of Nepenthes. I decided to document some of my favorites on my most recent visit, since I don't feature that genus much on the blog here. One note: plants at the Conservatory aren't always labeled super well. A few of these I knew offhand, a couple I made educated guesses about, and a few are NOID. Please comment with a correction if you know more than me!
This NOID (I suspect perhaps
Nepenthes ventricosa x
alata, i.e.
N. ventrata) is what made me realize I should start taking pictures.
![It looks like the pitchers are hugging. How cute. Nepenthes ventrata at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7579/15763039287_2705f636ff_c.jpg) |
Lovely coloration and pitcher shape on this plant. |
The vine was also really impressive. The average hobbyist greenhouse owner probably couldn't afford to devote this much space to one plant, but it makes for a wonderful display.
![People always ooh and aah about the Nepenthes. Nepenthes ventrata at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8617/15329143913_83e26b7917_c.jpg) |
Probably 100 pitchers on this plant? Fantastic. |
These pictures are from the Aquatic Plants room, which has a large pond and hosts a lot of epiphytic species. It has lowland to intermediate conditions.
![I had to lean over the water a bit to get this picture and frankly I was nervous I would drop my phone/fall in. That would have been...embarrassing. Nepenthes at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8576/15946814471_02527e30d6_c.jpg) |
I think I had a guess about this species but I can't remember anymore. |
Some of these Neps are huge, such as the following
Nepenthes truncata and
Nepenthes rafflesiana.
![That matte green pitcher with the shiny red peristome is totally rad. Nepenthes truncata at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8634/15763042337_b254ab8e8b_c.jpg) |
These pitchers are like, 18 inches (45 cm) long. |
![Check out the wavy ribs. Super groovy. Nepenthes rafflesiana at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7487/15948775315_b3cfa048ef_c.jpg) |
I love these fat pitchers. Great coloration too. |
Other are just perfectly formed, like this
Nepenthes ventricosa that's almost popped its top.
![What pretty colors. Nepenthes ventricosa at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/15948108692_f38df169bd_c.jpg) |
It looks like it's smiling. |
Or this
Nepenthes bicalcarata, which has one of the most perfect pitchers I've ever seen.
![This Nep is such a baller. Nepenthes bicalcarata at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7481/15761479160_e1354ec2f1_c.jpg) |
Those fangs are so distinctive. Love the orange and green too. |
Bicals are the largest Nep by total mass, which is clear from this vine.
![It took a while to photograph this plant cause there was just a lady sitting under it for a long time. She gave me a weird look as I was trying to decide if I could lean over her head to photograph the pitcher. I ended up just hanging around looking at other plants until she left. It was worth being a little weird. Nepenthes bicalcarata at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7558/15946820141_a46a484c04_c.jpg) |
This plant is like an old friend of mine I like to visit. |
The nearby Tropical Highland room hosts a couple of more delicate species, including this lovely
Nepenthes mikei and its vine.
![It was so hard to get this picture in focus. Even this one isn't really. Oh well. Nepenthes mikei at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7581/15326504254_768a2389a5_c.jpg) |
These upper pitchers are so fine and delicate. |
![The Tropical Highland room is my favorite, I think. There's something particularly peaceful about the cool, humid air. Nepenthes mikei at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8623/15946817821_5cb5197d03_c.jpg) |
Another great vine, although somewhat more modest than the one in the Aquatic Plants room. |
And this beautiful
Nepenthes lowii, sporting a big fat patch of crystallized nectar.
![I always want to taste the nectar. Nepenthes lowii at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7530/15762745559_acfda44625_c.jpg) |
That nectar patch looks so inviting. If only I were a shrew. |
![I almost volunteered at the Conservatory during the CHOMP! exhibit but I didn't end up having time. It's too bad. Nepenthes lowii at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/15763045437_44f3c1ac13_c.jpg) |
N. lowii has such a distinctive shape. If I ever start growing highlanders this one is high on my list. |
A few other (non-carnivorous) plants caught my attention that day, and I couldn't not share them with the blog. Such as this insane hibiscus flower.
![My hand is pretty big too. This is a honking big flower. Hibiscus flower at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7502/15948114222_d22a96cc92_c.jpg) |
This is in the Potted Plants room. |
I had to include my hand for scale. The flower was enormous.
And this lovely
Paphiopedilum.
![I don't mess around with orchids, but if I did Paphs would be on the top of the list. Paphiopedilum at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7533/15948770395_6a24e84df9_c.jpg) |
I love that lantern-jawed look. |
Paphs are so funny looking.
In conclusion, the Conservatory of Flowers is super awesome. It's a fantastic place to visit if you're ever in the Bay Area, and are keen on weird plants.
![Look at all those Phalaenopsis in bloom! It was crazy. The Potted Plant room at the Conservatory of Flowers.](https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8663/15763038537_834ca587da_c.jpg) |
The Potted Plant room is really magical. |
that Mikei is incredible!!! For your NOIDs the first one is Alata, and the second is a cultivar named 'Dyeriana' - [(northiana x maxima) x (rafflesiana x veitchii)]
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ID help. And yes, I love that N. mikei.
Deletefantastic collection... the orchid flower is so unique..
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful post, really lovely pictures.
ReplyDelete