The Living Fossils at Durban Botanical Gardens
The proud heritage of Durban continues with the often overlooked Durban Botanical Gardens. The Durban Botanical Gardens was founded in 1849 for the introduction and experimenting of potential useful commercial crops. Today it is the oldest surviving botanic garden on the African continent and Durban’s oldest public institution. The popular gardens host approximately 500 000 visitors per year, many of whom are foreign tourists.
The Durban Botanical Gardens boasts the rarest cycad (broodboom) collection in the world. This plant’s cunning nickname, “living fossil,” suits it perfectly as cycads have survived three mass extinction events, although they are in danger of extinction today. Of South Africa’s 38 cycad species, three are extinct in the wild, 12 are critically endangered, four are endangered, nine are vulnerable and seven are near threatened.
You will also find an extensive orchid collection at the gardens, that was started in 1931. These intricate flowers can be seen at the orchid house, named after the student that started the collection – Ernest Thorp. These flowers with their smaller blooms are kept in a separate orchid house, so that visitors can experience their amazing aromas.
Over the years various trees were also added to the collection, boasting with fine mixed arboretum of African, Asian and American trees. The beautiful Palm Walk with was established in 1889 with palm trees lining the romantic pathways. The Durban Botanical Gardens is proud to boast their collection with more than 130 different species ranging from tall palms reaching over 25m in height right down to the small palms.
The Durban Botanical Gardens has various trusts in place to raise funds to maintain and develop the gardens to ensure its excellent condition is preserved. The popular Music at the Lake concerts have attracted thousands of people over the years with famous names like Johnny Clegg and The Parlotones performing at the venue.
Entrance to the Durban Botanical Gardens is free, and it’s open every day of the year.
Source: Durban Tourism