What's in Bloom!
Dangling Lobster Claws!!!
A heliconia in flower truly gives a feel of the tropics. These striking plants are commonly seen in the tropical house of most conservatories. There are nearly one hundred species found throughout Central and South America as well as the South Pacific to Indonesia. The species pictured is commonly called the Lobster Claw Heliconia due to the shape of the bright red bracts. The “true” flowers, which are rather insignificant, are located in the hollow bracts that hold water. The Blue Morpho, one of the Conservatory’s favorite butterflies, is often found drinking this water. Several heliconia species are located in the North Conservatory, where our butterflies are in flight!
Franklin Park Conservatory houses over 400 plant species in its interior plant collections, which occupy two modern glasshouses, a show house, and the Palm House. A biome is a community of plants and animals whose makeup is determined by soil and climate. Climates represented within the Conservatory are: Himalayan Mountains, Rain Forest, Desert, and Pacific Islands. Click on the links to the left to explore each of these areas.The Showhouse changes with seasons and with the exhibitions presented at the Conservatory. This is the area where the bonsai and orchid collections are housed, and where you will find revolving exhibitions of specialty plants and displays.
The Palm House is the oldest part of the Conservatory where an outstanding collection can be enjoyed in Victorian glasshouse surroundings. A fuller description is available by clicking the link, left.
