Guest blogger: Zoo Academy Student, Elaina Allen
Here at the Cincinnati Zoo we have a lot of fascinating animals to look at from leaf-cutting ants to Asian elephants. However there is more to the Cincinnati Zoo; the Zoo is also known for its amazing plant displays. One plant display in particular that I will be discussing is the amazing Dinosaur Garden located outside of the front entrance of Reptile House on the right side near Monkey Island.
The Dinosaur Garden was designed in the 1970s through 1980s around the time the Zoo also became a botanical garden. A botanical garden is an establishment where plants are grown for display to the public and often for educational study. The purpose of the Dinosaur Garden in particular is to convey knowledge to the visitor about the prehistoric plants that lived around the same time as the dinosaurs.
One thing interesting you can find inside the garden is the Araucarioxylon arizonicum or the petrified log. When a plant is fossilized it is considered petrified. The Araucarioxylon arizonicum is an extinct species of conifer that is known for its massive tree trunks.
My favorite species to look at while in the area is the China Fir because this tree has pointy needles, which is an adaptation to defend itself against large animals such as dinosaurs.
Observing the Dinosaur Garden you will notice that some of the plants come and go, depending on the season. The Horticulture staff makes sure to maintain and keep up with the changes in the weather, and also the requirements or needs of the plants in the garden. Horticulture is the art of garden cultivation and management. The staff in the Horticulture department maintains any appropriate plant species throughout the Zoo.
So next time you decide to visit the Zoo, check out the Dinosaur Garden and the many other plant displays. You won’t regret it!
Thank you for the interesting information! Can’t wait to look at the garden now that I know what I am looking at!
Wow now im going to really pay closer attention to detail!
very informative and gives me a new appreciation for the plants knowing some of the cool fun facts
This is a great read! Thanks for sharing this information. I can now visit the zoo with fresh eyes and pay attention to the botaninical elements as well.
This is a great read! Thanks for sharing this information. I can now visit the zoo with fresh eyes and pay attention to the botanical elements as well.
WOW!
That was a very intriguing article and I learned a vast of information. Upon m e returning to Cincinnati I plan to come to the zoo just to see this area.
This was a very interesting read. Never knew such facts about the plants. Next time I am at the zoo will be sure to look in Dinosaur Garden.
What an infomational entry! I look forward to visiting the zoo with my clients!!!!
I never liked plants until now…plants are gooooood.
It never occurred to me that the petrified species was so signicant!
Great read!!! This article was very informative and I look forward to checking out the dinosaur garden as well as the many other gardens throughout the zoo. I honestly never gave much thought to the plant life at the zoo, but I look forward to experiencing this with my kiddos this summer.
Elaina 사랑해 ~
Great job, sis~
Wow Elaina what wonderful work!! What a amazing job writing such an informative article!!!
Very informative.! Great job,Elaina.!!!
Awesome article.. This was very informative…Loved it!
Are there still prehistoric plants living today? This article was very informative. I will be visiting the Dinosaur Garden, my interest has been peaked.
My family visits zoos all over the country and we never pay attention to the plants. Now we will!
Very informative. The zoo has been a favorite of forever. One day you will be curator of the zoo of your choice. I am just too proud of you.
This was very impressive, you really know your “stuff! “
Great blog,Its great to receive interesting and informative information from our young people and students working within Zoo auspices in particular. Their interest and concern determines the future as to what the future can bring. The article provided a road map as to where to look for interesting stuff. Was very well done!