Stapeley Water Gardens

Tree Ferns

Covered the Earth 350 million years ago, long before the dinosaurs! Tree ferns take 10 years to grow 30cm (1 foot), reach 9m and live for hundreds of years. They
covered the Earth over 350 million years ago, long before the dinosaurs. They have survived
ice ages, the formation of continents, mountains and oceans as we know them!

Cycads

(“Jurassic Palms!”) Cycads covered the earth during the Jurassic period but many species were wiped out along with the dinosaurs. They are often called “living fossils”, having remained unchanged for millions of years. They occur in various climatic zones from rainforest to semidesert. All are slow-growing and produce cones like conifers. In fact one species produces the largest cone in the plant world. Male and female cones are borne on separate plants. Most species are now threatened in the wild, and there is a huge black market in South Africa. All cycad plants are toxic, but can provide a food source, particularly in times of famine, if the toxins are first removed by boiling and washing.

Gingko biloba

For centuries this ancient Tree, was thought to be extinct in its native China, but is now known to grow in two small areas in a reserve in the East of the country where they have apparently been tended by monks for over 1000 years - so it is officially endangered, though it’s commonly cultivated and used in Chinese cooking and Traditional Chinese Medicine. You can see the Ginkgo’s delicate leaves in the Toucan aviary in the summer months.

Egyptian Blue Water Lily (Nymphaea caerulea)

Once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll find this flower every time you look at Ancient Egyptian artwork. They were made into an elixir with alleged hallucinogenic and aphrodisiac properties! The science behind this “flower power” was carefully investigated by a team of scientists (including one of the country’s most respected Egyptologists) several years ago, and we were able to assist in the filming of the resulting documentary for Channel 4.

You’ll also be able to see Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) growing beside one of our two tropical lily more about the history of paper making!