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[1] (e.g. Phyla or Families), or plants from specific regions of the world (e.g. the Outer Banks[2] 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

Anthophyta (Magnoliophyta)

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