Pretoria National Botanical Garden

Pretoria National Botanical Garden
Pretoria National Botanical Garden
	The cycad garden in the Pretoria National Botanical Garden
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Type	Botanical
Location	Pretoria, Gauteng
Area	76 hectares (0.76 km2)
Created	1946
Open	Daily
Website	http://www.sanbi.org/gardens/pretoria

Plaque commemorating the founder of the garden, Dr R. A. Dyer

The Pretoria National Botanical Garden is one of South Africa's nine National Botanical Gardens.^[1] The garden is wedged between Pretoria Road and Cussonia Avenue in Brummeria, in eastern Pretoria, Gauteng, and flanks a central rocky ridge that runs from east to west. The 76 hectares (0.76 km²) garden was established in 1946, and of late hosts the headquarters of the South African National Biodiversity Institute.^[2]

History[]

The Garden was initially known as the 'Pretoria National Botanic Garden' and opened in June 1946 when the University of Pretoria granted approval from the Department of Agriculture for the development of a botanical garden on a piece of land that was previously part of the University’s Experimental Farm. The farm had to be abandoned due the presence of poison leaf (Dichapetalum cymosum), a plant which is poisonous to livestock. The Garden was officially opened on 23 October 1958, but it could only be visited by special arrangement because it was primarily a research facility under the management of the 'Botanical Research Institute' (BRI), which traces its origins back to 1903. The Institute amalgamated with the 'National Botanical Gardens of South Africa' to form the 'National Botanical Institute' in 1989, which in turn became the 'South African National Biodiversity Institute' (SANBI) in 2004. The Garden was then opened to the public on a daily basis in 1984.^[3]

Layout[]

The day visitors' entrance is along Cussonia Avenue. This western section contains the wetland, cycad garden, succulent garden, useful plants garden, medicinal garden and enabling garden. Situated among these is a restaurant, concert stage, tea garden and function hall beside an artificial waterfall.

It has an avenue of Bolusanthus speciosus trees by Mr Jan Evens in 1946.^[3]

Situated around the center of the garden is the National Herbarium, Biodiversity Center and Environmental Education Center. The Mary Gunn Library is housed within the National Herbarium.^[4]

Aloe Lodge (formerly Velcich House) north of the ridge is destined to house offices of the Working for Wetlands and Grassland Programmes.

The eastern side of the garden is less developed. An arboretum and natural grassland is located here, besides the Dassie walking trail along the central ridge,^[5] and the garden offices.

References[]

^ Oldfield, Sara (2007). Great Botanic Gardens of the World. New Holland. pp. 63–64. ISBN 978-1-84537-593-5.
^ "NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN Pretoria, South Africa". South African National Biodiversity Institute. Archived from the original on 2008-05-09. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b "Pretoria History". SANBI. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
^ "Mary Gunn Library". South African Biodiversity National Institute. South African Biodiversity National Institute. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
^ Maassen, Gregory; Katz, Janet (25 November 2017). South Africa: Hiking Trails in and Around Pretoria and Johannesburg: Day Walks and Wildlife Hikes. Wandel Guides. p. 62. ISBN 978-1-973873-89-1.