The Climatron® is an architectural marvel filled to the brim with tropical plants from all over the world. A lot has happened in the 60 years since it first opened to the public. From history to pop culture, and even an alligator encounter, here are 30 things you might not know about the Climatron. In…
Tag: climatron
Climatron 60: The Talking Orchid
Is some parched stranger crying out for help behind that palm tree? Not quite.
Plant Profile: Coffee
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks on the planet, trailing only water and tea in global daily consumption. Although it’s a drink many people rely on for a morning pick-me-up, it can be easy to overlook the plant that produces this culturally and economically important caffeinated beverage. What is Coffee? Coffea is a…
Learning by Doing | Research Experiences for Undergraduates
When Kelli Schowalter first visited the Missouri Botanical Garden after moving to St. Louis from Virginia for college, she was not aware of the institution’s vast science and research work. “It’s fascinating,” Schowalter says of the Garden’s internationally renowned research program. A Washington University senior, Schowalter first learned about the science side of the Garden…
Rare Flower Comes to the Climatron
Keep your eyes peeled on your next trip through the Climatron, and you may spot the beautiful flower of Nesocodon mauritianus. It’s the first time the Garden has been able to put this rare plant on display—and the latest development in our efforts to save this showy species. What is it? Nesocodon mauritianus is a…
Spotlight on Science: Monica Carlsen
A monthly look at the people behind plant science at the Missouri Botanical Garden Dr. Monica Carlsen Assistant Scientist, Education Coordinator, Research Before Dr. Monica Carlsen moved from Venezuela to St. Louis for graduate school, she had never heard of St. Louis or Missouri. But she had heard of the Missouri Botanical Garden. Carlsen had…
Conservatories of the Garden
From tropical temperatures to Mediterranean retreats to historic splendor, the conservatories of the Missouri Botanical Garden offer an escape in any season. Climatron Covering more than a half-acre, the Climatron® is an ever-changing ecosystem and a symbol of the Garden. The geodesic domed structure was inspired by the futuristic design of R. Buckminster Fuller,…
Plant Profile: Jackfruit
The Climatron is home to nearly 3,000 plants, but none are quite as remarkable as Artocarpus heterophyllus. Better known as Jackfruit, this tropical tree stands out for a very big reason: it bears the largest fruits of any tree in the world. What is a Jackfruit? Artocarpus heterophyllus is native to India and Malaysia—but…
Hiding in Plain Sight
Get up close to the best-kept secrets in the Climatron. The Climatron® Conservatory has been a Garden icon since its opening in 1960, but many visitors may pass through this tropical environment unaware it hosts one of the Garden’s best-kept secrets under its geodesic dome. While visiting the Climatron in the late 1990s, a gecko…