It almost disappeared from the surface of the earth… And yet, the palm tree sits here, today, in the largest of the site’s greenhouses. Better still, this specimen from Nancy had the goodness to give seeds, some of which were sent all over the world. Thus was saved in extremis from extinction the saribus jeanneneyi. Who participates in the legend of the greenhouses of the Jean-Marie Pelt Botanical Garden.
And that is not the only wealth that the site can boast about. Under the 16 “tunnels” spread out on the hillside, one of which has a ceiling height of 11m, 13,000 plants are living 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 is reassured by the evocation of a “fully automated” system which, under each greenhouse, guarantees luminosity, temperature and humidity constantly adapted to the specific needs of the plants which live there.
Same conditions for “the youngest”, inaugurated last year, entirely devoted to carnivorous plants, which the premises accommodate up to 700 varieties. “Which makes it one of the most remarkable collections in Europe. And moreover justifies the holding of an international congress on the subject right here next year.
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6,500 tropical species
In the dampness (versatile from one tunnel to another), green imposes itself as master, triumphant and shimmering with a thousand shades. Disturbed, however, by unexpected appearances of skeletons, vaguely frightening. Those of the dinosaurs whose garden, at the moment, is the subject of a quite exceptional exhibition. One of them has also established its summer quarters in the immediate vicinity of the famous giant water lily of the Amazon, with leaves so imposing that babies lay there.
Each of the greenhouses allows the exploration of a standard universe. Here aquatic plants, then useful plants (coffee, rice, cocoa, argan, etc.). Appear the tropical, whose richness (6,500 specimens) could also surprise in these Lorraine regions. “The fact of history”, notes the director. “In the 1980s, botanical conservatories were created in France, but there were none in the Mascarene archipelago. The Nancy Botanical Garden then came to the rescue. “This generated a lot of exchanges, hence the presence here of varieties that are sometimes extremely rare. »
The green jewels of this imposing treasure chest also belong to the orchid family (300 varieties) and above all, tropical ferns, and aroids (arums, philodendrons, anturiums, etc.), “the great pride here”. So much so that field expeditions have been set up by the garden teams. “Some varieties have even been discovered and described since Nancy. Adding a few nuggets to the treasures…of botanical knowledge.
Open 7 days a week; “Dinosaurs – Life-size Evolution” exhibition until 6 November.
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