Horticulture Principles and Practices

FIGURE 2 The world's largest unbranched inflorescence,
Amorphophallus titanum, also known as
Titan arum or corpse flower.
(This item omitted from WebBook edition)
of the Crystal Bridge—the anole in particular. Two species of anoles, Anolis carolinensis,
originating in the southeast United States, and Anolis sagrei, native to islands of the
Caribbean Sea, have established thriving populations in the Crystal Bridge.
BIRDS
Muffin and Bo jangles are the rulers of the roost in the Crystal Bridge. The pair are double
yellow-headed Amazon parrots that were donated to the gardens in 1993. The parrots reside
in the lobby of the conservatory and entertain guests with their antics and loud talking.
BUTTERFLIES
The zebra longwing (Heliconius charitonius), a tallow and black tropical butterfly native
to the southern United States, was introduced to the Crystal Bridge in 1993. This species
was selected because the caterpillar feeds only on passion vine and does not damage any
of the other plants in the Crystal Bridge. After the caterpillars spin themselves into their
chrysalises, they are gathered up and kept in a special chrysalis case until they are ready
to emerge as winged adults. These butterflies are then released into the Crystal Bridge.
The adult butterflies are happy to stay right in the conservatory to remain close to their
food supply.
FISH
Fish were among the first animals introduced at the gardens. There are a variety of small
fish swimming throughout the pond and stream system that are native to the tropical
aquaria. Tropical fish in the Crystal Bridge include Pacu, Jack Dempsey Cichlid, Oscar,
Albino Oscar, and Plecostomus.
1.2 A Brief History of Horticulture 11