Download Fern Canyon - San Diego Zoo

10
Chinese Fan Palm
Livistona chinensis
Bo Tree, Peepul Tree
13
Ficus religiosa
This palm grows a long tap root and can survive extended
periods of drought. It is also considered a cold-hardy
palm that can live in sheltered temperate gardens.
This fast-growing fig tree is native
to India, Indochina, and southwest
China. It starts out as an epiphyte in
another tree, developing aerial roots
which thicken, eventually supporting
the tree—up to 100 feet.
FUN
FACT
FUN
FACT
This tall, single-trunked palm is
capped with large graceful fanshaped fronds that droop at the
ends giving it a fountain-like effect. It
produces large quantities of blue fruit.
It is a coastal palm native to southern
Japan, Taiwan, and several islands in
the South China Sea.
Gingers
14
Queensland Lacebark
FUN
FACT
Seed pods are large canoe-shaped hairy pods that are
produced in clusters of two to four. The hairs covering
the pods can cause skin irritation; however, the seeds
are said to be edible after roasting.
FUN
FACT
Brachychiton discolor
Native to southeast Australia’s humid
forests where rain is abundant, this
Brachychiton doesn’t develop a swollen
trunk like others. Its leaves are deeply
lobed like a maple, but vary with age
and cultural conditions. The bellshaped, pink flowers with dark red
centers earned it the species name
“discolor,” or two-colors.
12
The ginger family Zingiberaceae
contains more than 1,300 species.
Throughout Fern Canyon you will
find the spectacular yellow-flowering
kahili Hedychium gardneranum, the
fragrant white butterfly Hedychium
coronarium, and the delicatelycolored pink shell ginger Alpinia
zerumbet.
Dombeya cacuminum
This magnificent specimen anchors
the base of Fern Canyon with its
broad canopy of maple-like leaves. In
late summer, clusters of deep rosepink flowers cascade from branch
tips, eventually falling from the tree
and carpeting the ground with color.
Firespike
Odontonema strictum
Growing in the understory below the
Chinese fan palm is an evergreen
shrub with waxy, bright red flowers.
Firespike is native to semi-forested
areas of Central America. The
upright panicles of flowers bloom
from late summer through winter.
The pungent rhizome of Zingiber officinales is the ginger
commonly used as a spice. Native to Southeast Asia, it
was widely imported to Europe by the 11th century.
Strawberry Snowball Tree
15
FUN
FACT
11
This species is sacred to followers of Hindu and
Buddhism; it is believed the Buddha received
enlightenment sitting under one.
There are about 200 Dombeya species found in
Africa, Madagascar, and the Mascarene Islands in the
Indian Ocean. This one is native to Madagascar.
FUN
FACT
Made possible through the generosity of
Firespike grows best in partial shade. Its red flowers
are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.
The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation
sandiegozoo.org
Fern Canyon
Jacaranda
Jacaranda mimosifolia
FUN
FACT
FUN
FACT
5
3
Pepper Tree, Kawakawa
Macropiper excelsium
6
Kermadec Nikau Palm
Rhopalostylis cheesemanii
8
Maoris use the leaves for roofs and wall coverings,
and the leaflets for weaving baskets.
Staghorn Fern
Platycerium bifurcatum
The antler-shaped fronds produce cinnamon-colored
spores on the underside tips. The fronds become
increasingly larger as the plant matures.
Ceratozamia mexicana
New leaves emerge in shiny bronze colors which
glow in sunlight. Because of its spineless leaves, it’s
a great cycad to grow near sidewalks.
Bamboo Palms
Chamaedorea ssp.
Seven species of bamboo palms
make their home in Fern Canyon.
Characterized by thin, bamboolike ringed stems, Chamaedorea
forms one of the largest groups of
palms. Found throughout Central
and South America, they do best
in cool, tropical countries.
9
Bamboo palms are either male or female, with the
latter producing orange or red fruit.
Tree Ferns
Tree ferns have inhabited Fern
Canyon since it was built. Look
for three species from Australia
and New Zealand: scaly tree fern
Cyathea cooperi; black tree fern
Cyathea medullaris; and Tasmanian
tree fern Dicksonia antarctica.
This epiphytic fern produces two
kinds of fronds: a round, flat basal
frond that appears to anchor the plant
to the tree and a second type that is
branched and grows out away from
the trunk. The structure of this second
frond gives this plant the name of
staghorn or elk fern.
FUN
FACT
FUN
FACT
Native to New Zealand, this
small tree produces aromatic
heart-shaped leaves. Flowers are
very small and are followed with
yellow-orange, egg-shaped berries.
The berries are a favorite of New
Zealand’s native pigeon and are
used by humans as a culinary spice.
The leaves, bark, and berries are all used medicinally.
Leaves are not only brewed as a tea for toothaches, but
are also placed on a fire to repel insects.
Often called the “fruit salad plant” because its ripened
fruit is said to taste like a mix of pineapple, mango,
and banana.
Mexican Horncone Cycad
Native to the tropical lowlands
and cloud forests of Mexico’s
Sierra Madre Mountains, this cycad
prefers shade. Plants are either
male or female with relatively large,
spiny cones produced at the base
of the leaves.
The distinctive purplish bulge
at the base of its crown-shaft
readily identifies this palm.
Native to the wet forests of New
Zealand’s Kermadec group of
coastal islands, it prefers shade
or semi-shade conditions.
FUN
FACT
FUN
FACT
Jacaranda trees were some of the
original plants installed in Fern
Canyon which was built in the
1930s (it’s the oldest garden in the
Zoo!). Panicles of bluish-purple
flowers open from late spring to
early summer. It is now widely
planted throughout the world.
With its beautiful, branching canopy, the jacaranda
makes a great urban street tree and can be found
throughout Southern California.
7
FUN
FACT
Schizolobium parahybum
A tall, thin trunk topped with 3-footlong bipinnate leaves makes this tree
an architectural beauty. Clusters of
large yellow flowers open before the
delicate leaves emerge.
2
Monstera deliciosa
This epiphytic member of the
Arum family is native to the
tropical rain forests of southern
Mexico and into Panama. Aerial
roots growing out of its thick
stems will dig in once they touch
the ground. Its large glossy leaves
develop holes only in maturity.
Yellow Jacaranda
Despite its common name, it is not related to the
more widely known purple-flowering jacaranda,
although both are native to South America.
Swiss-cheese Plant
FUN
FACT
1
4
FUN
FACT
Match
the numbers to the plant ID signs. The tour
begins at at the top entrance to Fern Canyon behind
the bus ticket booth, ending on Center Street.
Tree ferns grow a “trunk” that elevates the fronds
above the ground. The trunks are not like those of
trees, but rather a rhizome supported by fibrous roots.
10
Chinese Fan Palm
Livistona chinensis
Bo Tree, Peepul Tree
13
Ficus religiosa
This palm grows a long tap root and can survive extended
periods of drought. It is also considered a cold-hardy
palm that can live in sheltered temperate gardens.
This fast-growing fig tree is native
to India, Indochina, and southwest
China. It starts out as an epiphyte in
another tree, developing aerial roots
which thicken, eventually supporting
the tree—up to 100 feet.
FUN
FACT
FUN
FACT
This tall, single-trunked palm is
capped with large graceful fanshaped fronds that droop at the
ends giving it a fountain-like effect. It
produces large quantities of blue fruit.
It is a coastal palm native to southern
Japan, Taiwan, and several islands in
the South China Sea.
Gingers
14
Queensland Lacebark
FUN
FACT
Seed pods are large canoe-shaped hairy pods that are
produced in clusters of two to four. The hairs covering
the pods can cause skin irritation; however, the seeds
are said to be edible after roasting.
FUN
FACT
Brachychiton discolor
Native to southeast Australia’s humid
forests where rain is abundant, this
Brachychiton doesn’t develop a swollen
trunk like others. Its leaves are deeply
lobed like a maple, but vary with age
and cultural conditions. The bellshaped, pink flowers with dark red
centers earned it the species name
“discolor,” or two-colors.
12
The ginger family Zingiberaceae
contains more than 1,300 species.
Throughout Fern Canyon you will
find the spectacular yellow-flowering
kahili Hedychium gardneranum, the
fragrant white butterfly Hedychium
coronarium, and the delicatelycolored pink shell ginger Alpinia
zerumbet.
Dombeya cacuminum
This magnificent specimen anchors
the base of Fern Canyon with its
broad canopy of maple-like leaves. In
late summer, clusters of deep rosepink flowers cascade from branch
tips, eventually falling from the tree
and carpeting the ground with color.
Firespike
Odontonema strictum
Growing in the understory below the
Chinese fan palm is an evergreen
shrub with waxy, bright red flowers.
Firespike is native to semi-forested
areas of Central America. The
upright panicles of flowers bloom
from late summer through winter.
The pungent rhizome of Zingiber officinales is the ginger
commonly used as a spice. Native to Southeast Asia, it
was widely imported to Europe by the 11th century.
Strawberry Snowball Tree
15
FUN
FACT
11
This species is sacred to followers of Hindu and
Buddhism; it is believed the Buddha received
enlightenment sitting under one.
There are about 200 Dombeya species found in
Africa, Madagascar, and the Mascarene Islands in the
Indian Ocean. This one is native to Madagascar.
FUN
FACT
Made possible through the generosity of
Firespike grows best in partial shade. Its red flowers
are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.
The Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Memorial Foundation
sandiegozoo.org
Fern Canyon