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PHOTOS BY RYAN GUITARE
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he is able to identify the plant species, genus and native location with a simple glance. One of the most expensive plants is the Welwitschia, which is native to the Namib Desert. Thorson has four total—two adults and two adolescents—and each sexually mature plant costs approximately $5,000 and each immature plant costs about $1,000. Other unique species include Venus flytraps, Burseraceae trees, which produce sap and when extracted becomes frankincense, Crocus sativus, which produces saffron, and Vanilla planifolia, the plant that produces vanilla extract. One of the most impressive residents in the collection is the Amorphophallus titanum, more commonly known as the “corpse flower.” Known for its intense odor, the corpse flower uses pheromones to attract pollinating flesh-eating bugs to spread its pollen to other corpse flowers. Last summer, both the male and female plants bloomed and were displayed for hundreds of visitors. The greenhouses aren’t always accessible to visitors. Thorson said there’s too many risks involved with the placement of the greenhouse on an open rooftop. Thorny plants serve another risk, since they can cut and poke passersby. However, he isn’t always alone. Parker Richardson, a graduate biology student is Thorson’s assistant but didn’t always have a passion for plants like his mentor. “My grandma was really into plants; she had this epic garden down in Oceanside where I grew up,” Richardson said. “So I’ve always loved plants, but I never really like taking care of them myself.” Richardson is currently working on an experiment for his thesis about the germination rate of a seed under different salinities. When he’s not working on his thesis, Richardson assists Thorson with anything that he needs, from watering to pruning plants and keeping the facility clean. “Working with Brian, he has so much information, [and] I’ve been able to kind of pick his brain and really become more passionate about actually growing plants and taking care of them,” Richardson said. Other students can use the greenhouse for their studies of plant ecology, genetics and morphology. Once their experimentation is over, Thorson takes over and continues to grow and cultivate the plants, adding them to the collection. Part of the greenhouse’s purpose is to serve as a research facility for faculty as well. Flora Banuett, professor of biological sciences, is currently working on research involving the inoculation of teosinte, or wild corn, to study the plant’s vitality and morphology. Thorson said the research may be used to develop a way to create antibiotics that would allow resistance to fungal infections in the human body. When Thorson isn’t working in the greenhouses, he teaches future generations about the importance of plants and caring for them. “When I came here, there was nothing,” Thorson said. “This whole collection I built myself … I just want to find somebody who will have the same passion that I do to continue my legacy.”
Amorphophallus titanum in its leaf cycle, above, is a tropical plant native to Sumatra and Borneo. This plant rarely blooms, but when it does the plant gives off the smell of decaying flesh, and is often called the corpse flower. Nepenthes, left, also known as a tropical pitcher plant, is a carnivorous plant that collects enzymatic water to break down its prey to use as a food source. On the roof of the Hall of Science building, below, there are three green houses, tropical temprate and arid that house a multitude of plants.
