Tropical Botanical Garden, Lisbon: An Educational Space in The Heart of the City Where You Can also Revive Your Spirit
The over 500 perennial species, of tropical or subtropical origin, are examples of species that have even died out in their natural habitats
The Jardim Botânico Tropical (Tropical Botanical Garden), also known as the Colonial Garden, was created in 1906 and designed for the purposes of education and scientific knowledge.
The over 500 perennial species, of tropical or subtropical origin, are examples of species which have even died out in their natural habitats, such as Ginkgo Biloba
— Tourismo de Lisboa
Entrance into the garden
There are beautiful Portuguese-tiled steps leading into the garden.
The atmosphere was tranquil. Despite it being a Sunday, there were not many people there. As it was 28 degrees celsius, people were just sitting in the garden reading in the shade. I’d highly recommend this garden even though it is not so big.
History
Since 2015, the Tropical Botanical Garden has been part of the University of Lisbon.
It is currently managed together with the Museum of Natural History and Science and the Botanical Garden of Lisbon.
“The Garden is particularly rich in tropical species from New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan, and South America, which attests to the mild climate of Lisbon and the peculiarities of the microclimates created in this Garden.”
— National Museum of Natural History and Science
Along my walk, this little house below caught my attention. I was amused to see that it was a home for insects. Actually, not a home, but a hotel (only the best for those wandering bees :))
This house/hotel is a nesting facility to attract and shelter different species of insects, mainly solitary bees. (Seems I’m not the only one who likes to wander off from the herd or swarm!)
The next fascinating fact and beauty that caught my attention was this magnificent tree. It’s called Taxodium distichum, from the Cupressaceae family. Its common name is Bald cypress.
Bald Cypress is a deciduous tree, native to the warm temperate marshlands in southern North America. It can reach 40 m in height and the trunk 2 m in diameter.
The main trunk is surrounded by cypress knees (pneumatophores), roots that emerge from others in the ground to easily access oxygen, lacking in the flooded soils. The wood is of high quality however the tree is mostly used as ornamental.
Next up, some more steps..
I hope you enjoyed a taste of the lovely Tropical Botanical Garden here in Lisbon.
It’s funny because when it comes to the end of my time living somewhere, I start to see how beautiful it is and find more fun things to explore.
I suppose that means, I’ll just have to come back. :)
Thank you for reading!
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