Tropical Garden Fall 2012

68 Pages·2012·22.48 MB·English

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IT TAKES A SCIENCE VILLAGE:
Fairchild prepares to realize a vision 10 years in the making.
p u b l i s h e d by fa i r c h i l d t r o p i c a l b o t a n i c g a r d e n
The Shop
AT FAIRCHILD
Iris Votive Holder
Sale Price: 15.96
Regular price: 19:95
tropical gourmet foods | home décor accessories
eco-friendly and fair trade products | gardening supplies | unique tropical gifts
apparel | books on tropical gardening, cuisine and more
f a i r c h i l d t r o p i c a l b o t a n i c g a r d e n
Photo by Rey Longchamp/FTBG
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34 41
THE NEW SCIENCE VILLAGE: HELICONIUS BUTTERFLIES:
A VISION COMING INTO FOCUS COMING HOME TO ROOST
52 DEPARTMENTS
ANTHURIUMS: 5 FROM THE DIRECTOR
7
THE LARGEST GENUS IN SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
9
GET IN ON THE CONSERVATION
THE AROID FAMILY
13
TROPICAL CUISINE
14
EXPLAINING
17
VIS-A-VIS VOLUNTEERS
19
CONSERVING
23
WHAT’S BLOOMING
33
EDIBLE GARDENING
44
PLANT SOCIETIES
51
WHAT’S IN STORE
56
GARDENING IN SOUTH FLORIDA
59
BUG BEAT
61
GIFTS AND DONORS
62
GARDEN VIEWS
64
FROM THE ARCHIVES
66
CONNECT WITH FAIRCHILD
Membership
AT FAIRCHID
Membership Categories Your Benefits...
We have expanded and added membership • Freedaily admission throughout the year
categories to better fit your needs: •Freeadmission to all daytime events and art exhibitions
• Freeparking
IndividualAdmits one adult $75 •Freeadmission to all Members’ only events, including
Members’ Lectures, Moonlight Tours, the Members’ Day
DualAdmits two adults $90
Plant Sale and select Members’ only evening events
FamilyAdmits two adults and $125
• Quick Admit at all admission points
childrenof members (17 and under)
• Early admissionto select plant sales and events
Grandparents $125
• Subscriptionto the award-winning magazine
Admits two adults and grandchildren The Tropical Garden
of members (17 and under)
• Discountsto all ticketed day or evening events
Family and Friends $170
• Discountsat The Shop at Fairchild
Admits four adults and children
• Discounts and priority registrationsto
of members (17 and under)
adult education classes and seminars
Sustaining $250
• Discountsto kids’ summer camps
Admits four adults and children of members
• Discountson a wide variety of products and services from
(17 and under). Receives six gift admission
participating Branch Out Partners
passes($150 value)
• Free or discounted admission** to more than 500 other
Signature $500
gardens, arboreta and museums in the U.S. and abroad
Admits four adults and children of members
(**certain restrictions may apply)
(17 and under). Receives eight gift admission
passes ($200 value)
For more information, please call the
Membership Department at
305.667.1651, ext. 3362 or visit
www.fairchildgarden.org/Membership
f a i r c h i l d t r o p i c a l b o t a n i c g a r d e n
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T
he natural world is a delicate balance of interrelationships amongliving things.These
interrelationships, evolved over millions ofyears, are complex and fragile. As we
work to conserve plant species, we must also strive to understand and save the
ecological systems that surround them. Saving endangered plants is only the first step;
learning how those plants interact withother species is the next step in our work, and it requires
a broaderapproach to science that goes beyond botany.
Highly specialized plant-animal relationships have arisen through theprocess of coevolution,
whereby changes in one kind of organism overtime drive changes in other associated living
things. Flowers, and theanimals that pollinate them, are the ultimate examples of coevolution.
Within the world of flowering plants, many beautiful and novelstrategies have evolved to attract
particular kinds of birds, insects,bats and other creatures to move pollen from one flower to
another.In turn, many animals have evolved special ways to benefit fromnectar, pollen and
everything else specific kinds of flowers have tooffer.
Flowering plants, and therefore botanic gardens, hold tremendous valuefor demonstrating the
complexity and fragility of coevolved naturalsystems. Plant-animal interactions are becoming
Membership
central to ourteaching, research and conservation programs at Fairchild, from theelementary-
level Explorer education program to doctoral-level graduateresearch.
AT FAIRCHID We are fortunate to have great facilities and an all-star team todevelop science programs in
plant-animal interactions: Fairchild’s Dr.Joyce Maschinski, University of Miami professor Dr.
Carol Horvitz, andFlorida International University faculty members Dr. Hong Liu and Dr.
Suzanne Koptur are all working together to build new research andteaching on these topics
within the new Paul and Swanee DiMare ScienceVillage at Fairchild.
Our facilities are also expanding to provide new ways for all visitorsto explore plant-animal
interactions. Hummingbirds will play astarring role in The Clinton Family Conservatory, the world’s
largestindoor-outdoor facility for exhibiting tropical plants and theirpollinators. When that facility
opens in December, visitors willwitness the unique coevolved relationship between hummingbirds
andspecific kinds of flowers—a relationship that isincreasinglythreatened in nature.
Tropical butterflies, another group of organisms that depend on theirhighly specialized
relationships with plants, will also be on displayin The Clinton Family Conservatory and the
Jason Vollmer ButterflyLaboratory. Visitors will have opportunities to learn about thebiology,
diversity and ecological role of butterflies throughout thetropics, and the challenges we face in
conserving them.
Orchid flowers exhibit some of the most well-developed and specific ofall plant-animal
interactions. Each orchid species has coevolved withspecific pollinators, and now many rare
orchids and pollinators areendangered and depend on one another for continued survival. In
partnership with the American Orchid Society, we are expanding ourorchid collections,
research and conservation with the goal ofpreserving those systems in nature.
As you explore the world of tropical plants at Fairchild, you willbecome increasingly aware of
the fragile interrelationships amongplants and other living things. I hope you will join us as we
celebrate, study and conserve coevolved plant-animal systems in themonths and years ahead.
Best regards,
Carl Lewis. Ph.D.
www.fairchildgarden.org 5
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GEORGIA TASKER was the
PROUD MEMBER OF
garden writer for The Miami Herald
for over 30 years, and now writes
and blogs for Fairchild. She has
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received the garden’s highest
honor, the Barbour Medal, and a rriicchhaarrdd@@RRiicchhaarrddLLyyoonnssNNuurrsseerryy..ccoomm
lifetime achievement award from @@llyycchheeeemmaann11 oonn TTwwiitttteerr
Tropical Audubon Society. She is NNuurrsseerryy:: 2200220000 SS..WW.. 113344 AAvvee..,, MMiiaammii
also an avid photographer, PPhhoonnee:: 330055--225511--66229933 •• ffaaxx:: 330055--332244--11005544
gardener and traveler. Georgia MMaaiill:: 11223300 NN..WW.. 77tthh SStt •• MMiiaammii,, FFLL 3333112255
graduated cum laude from Hanover
College in Hanover, Indiana.
JENNIFER POSSLEY has been a
field biologist at Fairchild since
2001. She maps and monitors the
rare flora of Miami-Dade County
and researches the effects of
vegetation management. Prior to
joining Fairchild’s staff, she
received a B.A. in biology from
Kalmazoo College and a M.S. in
agronomy from the University
of Florida.
Delivery and Installation Available
ALISON WALKERhas been
with Fairchild since 2004, when
she started in the Horticulture
Department. For the past four DO YOU HAVE POND PROBLEMS ?
years, she has worked in the
education department as the
IS YOUR REAL PROBLEM YOUR
community outreach coordinator
and is currently Fairchild’s youth POND SERVICE COMPANY?
education manager. She holds
Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in
Call Dr. Jeff Murray, Pondologist
the field of Plant Sciences from the
University of Florida. WE DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME!
305-251-POND(7663) | www.PondDoctors.NET
DR. JOYCE MASCHINSKI,
Licensed/Insured
conservation ecologist, leads
Fairchild’s South Florida
conservation program. Her focus is
conserving biodiversity through Your Water Garden Professionals
research, restoration and
community involvement. Her many
studies on endangered plants
include Plant Reintroduction in a
Changing Climate: Promises and
Perils, which was recently
published by Island Press.
Have you taken a
ON THE COVER
Calathea warscewiczii
walking tour lately?
Photo by Susan Ford-Collins
For up-to-date schedule, please
visit www.fairchildgarden.org/
walkingtours
fairchild tropical botanic garden
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The official publication of
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
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OCTOBER FEBRUARY 2013
Gaby Orihuela FREE DAYS AT FAIRCHILD
ffeeaattuurree wwrriitteerrss Wednesday, November 7
Georgia Tasker VOLUNTEER DAYS 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. GALA IN THE GARDEN
Jeff Wasielewski Information sessions for THE 72ND ANNUAL RAMBLE Saturday February 2
ssttaaffff ccoonnttrriibbuuttoorrss prospective volunteers Friday through Sunday, 6:30 p.m.
Monday, October 1 For information, please
Stephanie Cornejo November 9, 10 and 11
10:00 a.m. call Susannah Shubin at
Richard Campbell 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 6 305.667.1651,
Mary Collins 1:00 p.m. L.E.A.F. extension 3375.
Arlene Ferris To register, please call Let’s Explore at Fairchild
VALENTINE’S DAY
Erin Fitts 305.667.1651, ext. 3324 Family Workshop
CONCERT
Marilyn Griffiths Rainforest Recycling
FREE DAYS AT FAIRCHILD Thursday, February 14
Nancy Korber Saturday, November 17
Wednesday, October 3 7:00 p.m.
Noris Ledesma 10:00 –11:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Hong Liu DECEMBER FIRST LADIES TEA
Joyce Maschinski PLANT ID WORKSHOP Sunday, February 24
Jennifer Possley Friday, October 5 GRAND OPENING: 3:00 p.m.
Alison Walker 1:00 p.m. DIMARE SCIENCE For information or
reservations, please call
ccooppyy eeddiittoorrss MEMBERS’ DAY VILLAGE AND WINGS OF
Marnie Valent at
Rochelle Broder-Singer PLANT SALE THE TROPICS EXHIBIT
305.663.8059.
Kimberly Bobson Saturday, October 6 Saturday, December 1
Mary Collins 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. MARCH 2013
Jeff Wasielewski BIRD FESTIVAL HOLIDAY MUSIC
aaddvveerrttiissiinngg iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn AT FAIRCHILD AT FAIRCHILD 11TH ANNUAL
Leslie Bowe Thursday through Sunday Sunday, December 2 INTERNATIONAL
305.667.1651, ext. 3338 October 4 and 5, off-site 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. ORCHID FESTIVAl
birding field trips Friday through Sunday
pprreevviioouuss eeddiittoorrss PLANT ID WORKSHOP
October 6 and 7, at Fairchild March 8, 9 and 10
Marjory Stoneman Douglas 1945-50 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday, December 7 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Lucita Wait 1950-56 1:00 p.m.
Nixon Smiley 1956-63 BRIDAL EXPO - A 9THANNUAL BUTTERFLY THE ORCHID TEA ROOM
GARDEN WEDDING Friday through Sunday
Lucita Wait 1963-77 DAYS AT FAIRCHILD
EXPERIENCE March 8, 9 and 10
Ann Prospero 1977-86 Saturday and Sunday
Thursday, October 11 11:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m.
Karen Nagle 1986-91 December 8 and 9
Nicholas Cockshutt 1991-95 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EASTER BRUNCH
Susan Knorr 1995-2004 FAIRCHILD’S EDIBLE JANUARY 2013 Sunday, March 31
GARDEN FESTIVAL 10:30 a.m.
The Tropical GardenVolume 67, Saturday and Sunday For information or
Number 4. Fall 2012.
The Tropical Gardenis published quarterly. October 20 and 21 MOMMY & ME TEA reservations, please call
Subscription is included in membership dues. 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Sunday, January 20 305.256.8399.
© FTBG 2012, ISSN 2156-0501 3:00 p.m.
HOWL-O-WEEN
All rights reserved. No part of this publication For information or
AT FAIRCHILD
may be reproduced without permission. reservations, please call
Bring your dog!
Marnie Valent at
Wednesday, October 31
305.663.8059.
9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Accredited by the American Association of SPLENDOR IN
NOVEMBER
Museums, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is THE GARDEN
supported by contributions from members and
Thursday January 24
friends, and in part by the State of Florida,
Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the PLANT ID WORKSHOP 11:00 a.m.
Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the John D. Friday, November 2 7TH ANNUAL
and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the 1:00 p.m.
National Endowment for the Arts, the Institute of INTERNATIONAL
Museum and Library Services, the Miami-Dade OPENING OF CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL
This schedule of events is subject to
County Tourist Development Council, the Miami- CHAPUNGU CUSTOM Friday through Sunday change. For up-to-the-minute
Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the AND LEGEND: A CULTURE January 25, 26 and 27 information, please call
Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County
Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, and IN STONE EXHIBIT 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 305.667.1651 or visit
with the support of the City of Coral Gables. 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. www.fairchildgarden.org/Events
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Explore the many ways you can help
meet your financial goals and maximize
your philanthropic giving through sound
and timely gift planning with
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
About The Legacy Society
The Legacy Society is a group of Fairchild
supporters who have made a lasting commitment
to tropical science conservation by making a life-
income gift with Fairchild or by naming Fairchild
as a beneficiary in their estate plans. Fairchild’s
Legacy Society is a way for us to recognize this
profound contribution and dedication to
preserving the diversity of the tropics.
Create Your Conservation Legacy
For more than 70 years, bequests and planned gifts
have provided vital support for Fairchild's
important work in conserving tropical ecology.
Today, you can help continue this tradition by
making a lasting commitment to Fairchild.
When you join The Legacy Society, you help
ensure that the conservation work we pioneer
today will continue long into the future. And, the
expression of your individual values will provide
hope, inspire others and have a real and lasting
impact in our work to conserve the tropics.
Ways to Join Fairchild’s Legacy Society
Membership in The Legacy Society is open to
those who wish to join the tradition of making a
lasting gift. It is our way of recognizing a
remarkable commitment to Fairchild. You can
become a member of The Legacy Society by
naming Fairchild in your will or estate plan or by
making a life-income gift.
Please contact 305.667.1651, extension 3383 to
learn how you can join The Legacy Society.
f a i r c h i l d t r o p i c a l b o t a n i c g a r d e n
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Bruce W. Greer
Helping expand
President
research into natural
Louis J. Risi, Jr.
Senior Vice President plant products
& Treasurer
Fairchildis committed to using
Charles P. Sacher
its living collections for science
Vice President G
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Vice President
taxonomic and biomedical
& Assistant Secretary
potential. As part of this commitment and our outstanding academic and research ties with
Joyce J. Burns Florida International University, Dr. Alejandro Barbierihas joined us as a research associate.
Secretary
Dr. Barbieriis an associate professor in FIU’sdepartment of biological sciences. He
Leonard L. Abess obtained his Ph.D. in biochemistry at the Universidad Nacional de San Luis in Argentina.
Alejandro J. Aguirre Between 1993 and 2000, he held a post-doctoral position at Washington University in St.
Raymond F. Baddour, Sc.D. Louis, where he then was a research assistant professor from 2000 to 2004. Dr. Barbieri
Nancy Batchelor joined the FIUbiology department in 2004,and his laboratory is funded by extramural
Norman J. Benford funds from the National Institute of Health. Dr. Barbieriuses cutting-edge biochemical,
Faith F. Bishock cellular and molecular techniques to identify key cellular targets of inhibitory compounds
Bruce E. Clinton in mammalian cells.
Martha O. Clinton
Swanee DiMare
Miami hosts
José R. Garrigó
American Society
Kenneth R. Graves
Willis D. Harding for Horticulture
Patricia M. Herbert
conference
Robert M. Kramer, Esq.
James Kushlan, Ph.D.
More than 1,000 researchers
R. Kirk Landon
came together in Miami to
Lin L. Lougheed, Ph.D. share new advances in BG
Bruce C. Matheson American horticulture at the ma/FT
PCeltieffro Rrd. MWc. QMueizlleayn A10m9ethri cAannn Suoacl iCetoyn ffoerrence of the Noris Ledes
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T. Hunter Pryor, M.D.
At the InterContinental Hotel,
Adam R. Rose
attendees had a wonderful opportunity to share presentations, poster sessions, workshops
Janá Sigars-Malina, Esq.
and colloquia. Fairchild researchers Dr. Richard Campbell and Noris Ledesma presented
James G. Stewart, Jr., M.D.
highlights from Fairchild’s tropical fruit program, along with a variety of tropical fruit
Vincent A. Tria, Jr.
tastings. ASHS members also visited the Fairchild Fruit Living Collection.
Angela W. Whitman
Ann Ziff Founded in 1903, ASHS is the largest organization dedicated to advancing all facets of
horticultural research, education and application. ASHS supports science for specialty
Carl E. Lewis, Ph.D.
Director crops, global solutions for nutritious food sources and healthy, beautiful environments.
ASHS is composed of public and private sector professionals who are engaged in teaching,
research, extension and industry.
www.fairchildgarden.org 9
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The Tropical Gardenwins six Students use NASA data to measure impact of climate change
publishing excellence
We see changes in the climate, but how does it affect us? Twelve gifted students from
awards
South Miami Middle Community School pondered this question this summer. Inspired by
a class project evaluating NASA Satellite images last year, students decided to focus their
The Tropical Gardenmagazine won six
study on the “heat island effect” of cities.
awards from the Florida Magazine
Association, which recognizes excellence The “heat island effect” shows that large urban areas produce more heat than can be
in Florida publishing. This year’s awards, dissipated. Fairchild’s wetland area was chosen as one of four study areas, which also
known as the Charlie Awards, saw more included urban, residential/suburban, shallow water and wetlands. This allowed for a
than 700 entries. The Tropical Garden wide range of data collection using NASA equipment. For each study area, data was
won for Best Column, Best Service recorded regularly on incoming radiation, the reflected thermal radiation of the surface,
Feature, Best Single Photo, Best Use of the amount of aerosols and cloud cover. The data collected will be evaluated and shared
Photography and Best Feature Headlines. with students collecting similar data in New York City and nearby suburbs. It is the goal of
the students to continue their project every year and expand their data collection.
Members of The Tropical Garden’s
editorial and design team received the Interestingly, the participating students are part of a visual and performing arts program,
awards during the FMA’s annual and this experience might also inspire them to explore a career in science. South Miami
conference at Orlando’s Disney Yacht Middle Community School is also very actively involved in The Fairchild Challenge.
Club, held August 16-17.
Fairchild’s famous cannonball tree bears fruit
For years, Faichild visitors have learned the name of our historic cannonball tree located
near the Cycad Circle, and puzzled over its lack of any feature that resembles cannonballs.
Now, for the first time in many years, the tree is finally bearing its namesake fruit.
Cannonball trees (Couroupita guianensis) are self-incompatible, meaning each tree requires
pollen from another cannonball tree in order to bear its large, round fruit. Fortunately
another cannonball tree has reached maturity and begun flowering at Fairchild, but its
location, the Arboretum a few acres away is apparently too far away for bees to carry
pollen back to the cannonball tree at Cycad Circle, and vice versa.
Seven-year-old Eleanor Lewis (pictured left) and her father, Fairchild Director Dr. Carl
Lewis, recently began pollination experiments on the tree beside Cycad Circle using
pollen from the Arboretum tree. After a few false starts and some reading in the scientific
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