It has almost disappeared from the face of the earth … Yet, the palm is found here today in the largest of the site’s greenhouses. Better yet, this specimen of Nancy was kind enough to donate seeds, some of which were sent around the world. The saribus jeanneneyi was thus saved in extremis from extinction. Who participates in the legend of the greenhouses of the Jean-Marie Pelt Botanical Garden.
And that’s not the only wealth the site can boast of. Under the 16 “tunnels” scattered on the slope, one of which has a ceiling height of 11 m, 13,000 plants have happy days. Some have even been there for 60 years. “And you can imagine that I don’t want to be the curator whose name is associated with their disappearance. “
Frederic Pautz is therefore watching. And he is reassured by the evocation of a “fully automated” system which, under each greenhouse, guarantees brightness, temperature and humidity constantly adapted to the specific needs of the plants that host it.
Same conditions for “the youngest”, inaugurated last year, entirely dedicated to carnivorous plants, which host up to 700 varieties in the premises. “Which makes it one of the most extraordinary collections in Europe. And what’s more, it justifies holding an international congress on the subject right here next year.
6,500 tropical species
In the humidity (versatile from one tunnel to another), green imposes itself as a master, triumphant and sparkling with a thousand shades. But disturbed by unexpected appearances of skeletons, vaguely scary. Those of the dinosaurs whose garden, at the moment, is the subject of a completely exceptional exhibition. One of them has also established his summer quarters in the immediate vicinity of the famous giant water lily of the Amazon, with leaves so imposing that children lie there.
Each of the greenhouses allows the exploration of a standard universe. Here aquatic plants, then useful plants (coffee, rice, cocoa, argan, etc.). The tropical appears, the richness of which (6,500 specimens) might surprise in these Lorraine regions. “The fact of the story,” observes the director. “Botanical conservatories were created in France in the 1980s, but there were none in the Mascarene archipelago. The Botanical Garden of Nancy then came to the rescue. “This has generated a lot of exchanges, hence the presence here of sometimes extremely rare varieties. “
The green jewels of this imposing casket also belong to the family of orchids (300 varieties) and above all the tropical ferns, and the aroids (arums, philodendrons, anturiums, etc.), “the great pride here”. So much so that the field expeditions were organized by the gardening teams. “Some varieties have even been discovered and described since Nancy’s time. Adding a few nuggets to the treasures … of botanical knowledge.
Open 7 days a week; Exhibition “Dinosaurs – Evolution to Life Size” until 6 November.
