Guide to AU Greenhouse Collection

~This page is under construction, 2013-2014~

Most plants in the AU Greenhouse are either part of a research project (likely if you see large groups of pots with similar, fast-growing crop species) or part of the teaching collection. The collection is used for introductory and upper-level biology classes. The greenhouse is also a nice place to take a break.

The collection is organized mostly from two perspectives: major taxonomic groups that are commonly referenced in teaching plant systematics (e.g. Phyla or Families), or plants from specific regions of the world (e.g. the Outer Banks or the New World Tropics). Occasionally, replicate plants will be found in more than one area.

Mosses
Bryophyta, non-vascular, no seeds

Ferns
Pteridophyta, vascular, no seeds

Horsetail/Equisetum
Pteridophyta, vascular, no seeds

Whisk Fern/Psilotum
Pteridophyta, vascular, no seeds, tropical and subtropical

Cycadophyta
non-flowering seed plants, diverse tropical and subtropical habitats

Ephedra sp. (Gnetophyta)
vascular, non-flowering seed plants

Bromeliaceae
monocots, Order Poales, most tropical epiphytes & New World

Cactaceae
Order Caryophyllales, dicots, New World

Crassulaceae
Order Saxifragales, dicots, N. Hemisphere & South Africa, arid habitats

Euphorbiaceae
Order Malpighiales, dicots, most tropical, Old & New World

Orchidaceae
Order Asparagales, monocots, cosmopolitan

Native Plants of the Outer Banks
typically tolerant of stresses such as low water and/or high salt

Culinary Herbs & Food Crops
diverse origins