During my two weeks in Cambridge I had a list of things I wanted to see and do. At the top of my list was visit the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens.
I got to Cambridge on July 21st and went to the garden on July 22. I was so excited to see it. I got there just in time for a tour. I took my lunch and was enjoying myself so much I missed my afternoon class. Which was and botany class called- Plants that changed the world.
The walk from my dorm (Selwyn College)to the botanic garden is about 25 minutes and is a beautiful walk and I went along the river Cam.
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The first thing I noticed upon entering is the giant rhubarb
The sign says
Giant Rhurbarb Gunnera manicata
Gunnera can group up to 2.5m in height and although it looks like giant rhubarb is is not in the same family. In 1845 Charles Darwin reported that the roots of Gunnera tincortia were use to tan leather and prepare a black dye by the people of Tranqui island in southern Chile.
There are beautiful greenhouses and fountains.
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Shortly after I got there a tour started.
Come walk with me.
We started by learning about Pine trees. Here is a critically endanger pine called Wollemia nobilis. It was discovered in 1994. Fewer than 60 adult trees are known to be growing in the wild. It is found in Australia and the Cambridge Botanical Garden has a young one. I would have walked right past this little guy and not known its significance.
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Next our tour guide took us on a board walk that showed the evulotion of plants through years and has a great view of the garden from the top.
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Here are some pretty plants along the way.
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After the tour I at my lunch and watched the birds.
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Look at this beautiful lilly pond
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In addition to a walking tour of the garden there was also a plant highlight.
The day I was there the plant was Spiral Aloe. I really like aloe and this one is especially beautiful. Another plant I would have just past. Tours are awesome.
The best part of this plant highlight is that the guy that was giving the tour worked for the garden as a botanist and travels around the world collecting plants!
If you are in Cambridge a visit to the botanical garden is a great way to connect with nature, immerse yourself in history (the garden was started in 1762) and escape the crowds. There are over 8,000 plant species in this beautiful 40 acre garden and the prices is good at £8.80 or about $12 USD.
Sources:
Cambridge University Botanical Garden
Wollemia
