CYCADS Cycads are a group of prehistoric plants that shared the Earth with dinosaurs. Although they have survived the test of time, they are now restricted to a much smaller natural range. Much like conifers, cycads reproduce through male and female cones. Our cycad collection is one of great significance due to the fact that most cycads are threatened in the wild.
ERYTHRINA Commonly known as coral trees, erythrinas put on a spectacular display of flowers in late winter. Being a very nectarous flowering tree, they provide birds with energy and, in return, are pollinated by them. Over the years we have worked with other institutions to discover more about this group of trees that has not been studied much. This work has included the use of DNA barcoding to better identify distinct species.
PALMS
ALOES
FICUS
This wonderful group of succulents hails from Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Most species bloom in winter, providing a splash of color when not much else is blooming in San Diego. Aloes are just about the perfect plants to grow here due to their ease of care, low water use, and durability. The most famous aloe, Aloe vera, has been familiar to humans for centuries; however, where it was first found in the wild remains unknown.
Fig trees, or ficus, provide shade, beauty, and lots of browse for many animals at the Zoo. They are a cornerstone species because of their importance in ecosystems around the world. They also share a fascinating relationship with fig wasps; neither fig trees nor fig wasps would exist without each other. The Zoo has done extensive field work on ficus trees across Australia, monitoring and documenting native stands while also reviewing threatened populations.
A large and diverse group of trees found across the tropics and subtropics, palms are one of the most widely used plants in the world for food, shelter, material, and landscaping purposes. The climate in San Diego has allowed us to grow many species over the years, leading to a great collection of mature palm trees at the Zoo. A highlight of this collection is having a large number of Prichardia palms. These palms are the only native palm to the Hawaiian Islands and face considerable risks to their survival there.
ORCHIDS One of the largest groups of plants on Earth, orchids are also among the most famous. Their diversity, beauty, and unique life histories have long caused people to admire and showcase these plants. This interest has also spawned a considerable amount of conservation effort dedicated to this plant group. Orchids can be found growing throughout the world, from temperate bogs to branches on trees in tropical rain forests. Several species in our collection were rescued from areas in Papua New Guinea that were being destroyed by logging and oil exploration in the late 1980s.
SAN DIEGO ZOO GLOBAL
SANDIEGOZOO.ORG
23