Celebrating 50 Years Montgomery Botanical Center Established 1959 Board of Directors Charles P

MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER 50TH ANNIVERSARY: 1959-2009

Celebrating 50 Years Montgomery Botanical Center Established 1959 Board of Directors Charles P. Sacher, Esq., President Karl Smiley, M.D., Vice President Walter D. Haynes, Esq., Sec./Treasurer Loyd G. Kelly, Assistant Secretary Nicholas D. Kelly Peter A. Manz Executive Director M. Patrick Griffith, Ph.D. F r o m t h e Botanical Consultant John Popenoe, Ph.D. Executive Director Montgomery Botanical Research Fellows John Dowe, Ph.D. n the facing page, Jared captures Nell’s wishes fifty years William Hahn, Ph.D. Oago as she incorporated The Montgomery Foundation, now Damon P. Little, Ph.D. Montgomery Botanical Center. Cristina Lopez-Gallego, Ph.D. Mónica Moraes R., Ph.D. Assuredly, Nell and The Colonel would be very pleased at our record Silvia Salas-Morales since 1959. Montgomery Botanical Center has developed, conserved Alberto S. Taylor B., Ph.D. and advanced an internationally-accredited collection of cycads and palms, furthered botanical science in numerous ways, and enhanced the To advance science, education, education of generations of plant scientists. conservation and horticultural knowledge of tropical plants, The articles in this newsletter exemplify and illustrate how the emphasizing palms and cycads, work of our team fulfills our mission: Larry discusses his palm studies; Montgomery Botanical Center collects Laurie, John, and Felix each offer descriptions of the palms for which seeds from wild plant populations we care and the care our palms require; Chad recounts his work in around the world and grows the New Caledonia, and I offer a narrative of cycad fieldwork in Belize. Our resulting plants in population-based, acknowledgements grew longer in 2008, demonstrating our growing documented, scientific collections, for network of supporters and supported (see pages 9 and 10). use by botanists, scientists, and educators, in a 120-acre botanical To place our 50th anniversary year in the broader context, garden exemplifying excellent design. Montgomery’s achievement is among exceptional company; around the Montgomery Botanical Center world, the botanical community celebrates milestones this year. Two (originally The Montgomery Foundation) world-renowned institutions — Missouri Botanical Garden and Singapore is a tax-exempt, nonprofit institution Botanic Gardens — are both 150. And, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is established by Nell Montgomery now celebrating its 250th year! Jennings in memory of her husband, Colonel Robert H. Montgomery, and This context speaks well for our future. One or two hundred years his love of palms and cycads. from now, our successors will highlight an even greater record than we have thus far written. But in the closer term, I discuss our plans over the Montgomery Botanical News next five years on page 5. is published biannually by Montgomery Botanical Center. Please join me in celebrating this wonderful milestone by 11901 Old Cutler Road remembering our past, celebrating our present, and moving ahead into a Miami, Florida 33156 bright future. I look forward to seeing all of you here soon. Phone 305.667.3800 Fax 305.661.5984 [email protected] www.montgomerybotanical.org

Masthead photo of Montgomery Palm (Veitchia arecina) Pictured: Dr. Griﬃth with Zamia prasina (see page 4) in Belize. by Harvey Bernstein

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2 Montgomery Botanical News | Spring/Summer 2009 NELL’S VISION

leanor Elizabeth Foster Montgomery Jennings had a Through discussions with Arthur Campbell she determined Edream which she felt so strongly about that she knew if the particular purposes for which The Montgomery Founda- it were to come true she had to do it herself — It could not be tion was formed. Some of those are as follows: postponed for posterity by putting it in her will for someone To carry out activities having scientific or educational pur- else to do. Nell shared these feelings in a manuscript she wrote poses in the field of tropical botany and horticulture; in 1980, named: The Montgomery Foundation: A Memoir. To provide fellowships and scholarships in the fields of After Robert Montgomery’s death in 1953 and her mar- tropical botany and horticulture; riage to Alvin Jennings in 1956 she struggled with what she To provide funds for expeditions; research projects or simi- should do with the Palmetum. Her options were to sell it, lar activities for the promotion of knowledge of tropical botany keep it, or to leave it in her will and horticulture. to someone else, but whom. Continuing Nell’s vision, the She drew on her past experi- MBC mission is now stated as, ence and current friends to “to advance science, education, help her in making the best conservation, and horticultural decision. Nell’s main concern knowledge of tropical plants, was to do something with the emphasizing palms and cycads, property that would honor the and to exemplify excellent memory of her first husband. botanical garden design.” A pri- Two developments in 1959 mary MBC objective is making informed Nell as to what the the Montgomery name known best future for the Palmetum and respected in the field of should hold. Both events plant science. had to do with securing the In 1987, Nell made the future of the Fairchild Tropical following comment: “It is won- Garden. These developments derful to have a dream and then were a commitment to build the great satisfaction of seeing research programs, and to hire it materialize. That is what plant scientists. With those happened to Robert H. Mont- commitments in place, Nell gomery.” Her comment was a felt Fairchild Tropical Garden reflection on the Colonel, his had the boost it needed to work collecting palms and cycads become the outstanding insti- for the Palmetum, and the wide tution that it is today. interest they generated. These events led to Novem- Out of this work, and the ber 20, 1959, when the work of his close friend Dr. Certificate of Incorporation David Fairchild, a botani- papers were signed forming cal tradition was established The Montgomery Founda- in Miami. From that friend- tion, Inc. Those signing were: ship, the Colonel decided that Eleanor F. Jennings, Arthur Miami should have a tropical Montgomery, Charlotte M. garden where these plants could Schluter, W. Arthur Camp- be displayed to the public. bell, and Alvin R. Jennings. Thus, the Fairchild Tropical Nell stated that, “Creation of Garden became reality. Nell The Montgomery Foundation drew on these experiences and seemed to give me the answer the examples that her late hus- to the question that had been band had set to realize her own on my mind for several years: Nell Montgomery at the front door of her home at dream when she founded The the Coconut Grove Palmetum how to preserve the Palmetum, Montgomery Foundation and make it useful to the Fairchild was able to watch it grow. Garden, and at the same time preserve the identity of Robert Would Nell Montgomery be pleased with what has been H. Montgomery.” Nell saw how FTG’s 1959 commitments to accomplished? I think so. science could be advanced through strategic partnership with The Montgomery Foundation. Jared Fogg, Archivist [email protected]

Spring/Summer 2009 | Montgomery Botanical News 3 SINKHOLE CYCADS OF BELIZE: HELPING A CRITICALLY ENDANGERED ZAMIA

efore 2008, MBC had only seven Zamia prasina plants, A MORE REMOTE SINKHOLE Bfrom fieldwork by John Janovec and Amanda Neill in Geoff Hoese, a naturalist and caver, joined us for the more Belize eight years ago. Those seven plants are significant, as distant sinkhole. Getting there required a packhorse and a day’s conservationists believed fewer than 100 plants remained in walk to camp. A trek along logging roads and jungle paths took the wild as of 2003. us higher into the mountains. Arriving at an old timber camp, Reports by Janovec and Neill were intriguing. They depicted after a hot meal and jokes around the fire, we slept. plants growing at the dark bottom of deep sinkholes, on lime- The next morning, Valentino led us into deeper shade to the stone and guano — and without any other plants! Besides second sinkhole. One side gently sloped down, opening into those reports, very little was known, so we decided to study a large, steep-sided open cavity. Here we found more Zamia this Zamia firsthand. — around 140 mature plants with numerous seedlings. We John Janovec put Michael and I in touch with his colleague, worked steadily from one end to the other to measure, survey, Valentino Tzub. Valentino knew two remote sinkholes with photograph, and collect seeds from these rare cycads. Zamia; we planned to visit both. Our ambitious workload passed the day quickly, and quite late we climbed back into the forest, hiked to camp, and settled THE FIRST SINKHOLE into a solid sleep. At dawn, we hiked back to town, and were Jan Meerman, a well-known Belizean ecologist, joined us honored to enjoy a meal with Valentino and his family before for the first trip. Valentino led us through farmland, into jungle parting ways.

Zamia prasina growing in a remote sinkhole — a very specialized habitat. Valentino Tzub, Michael Calonje, and Geoﬀ Hoese with Zamia prasina. foliage, and up into the deeply shaded Maya Mountains. After CONSERVATION ACTION the morning, the ground opened before us, a limestone bowl There were many seedlings in the more remote sinkhole, reaching down two hundred feet, with no break in the canopy. but the ﬁrst had none; all plants appeared mature. This obser- Valentino guided us down a steep incline, a rock climb, and a vation conforms to reports of commercial seed harvest. Years short slide down a rotting trunk. of harvesting weakens the population. Another concern is the At the bottom, we were thrilled to count over 100 Zamia pra- specialized nature of the habitat: appropriate sinkhole space sina against the wall of the cavity. The day was spent measuring must be limited. plants, collecting seed and specimens, and taking photographs. We are glad to report more surviving Zamia prasina than Early afternoon, a huge thunderstorm soaked the mountain, previously thought — two populations of over 100 mature but the Zamia (and we) stayed completely dry. We learned plants, and some other smaller populations on hill tops. Our something special about the plants: these cycads only grew work placed conservation collections of Zamia prasina into under the dripline of the rock, where the soil remained com- protective cultivation at Belize Botanic Garden, Green Hills pletely dry. We spent the available sunlight gathering data. Botanical Collections, and MBC. Research is underway on Late that day, we climbed out, and returned to town. these collections.

M. Patrick Griﬃth, Ph.D., Executive Director A detailed account of our Zamia prasina conservation eﬀorts is online: [email protected] www.montgomerybotanical.org We thank the Belize Forest Department for permission, and the Association of Zoological Horticulture for funding this work. Michael Calonje, Cycad Biologist [email protected]

4 Montgomery Botanical News | Spring/Summer 2009 LOOKING TO THE PAST, PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE. BC’s 50th anniversary deserves celebration. Colonel in 2008 than any year previous. This number includes partici- MRobert Montgomery’s plant collections tradition, pants in joint research, scientists given research material, and Nell Montgomery’s vision and commitment, our Board’s lead- scholars who studied the plant collections. ership, and the MBC Team’s hard work have accomplished a tremendous amount since 1959. Jared’s article (page 3) LOOKING AHEAD captures Nell’s original vision, and the work that made it pos- Strategic planning helps meet the mission; strengths, con- sible. This milestone prompts looking back, to help focus on text, and goals define how we move forward. MBC has two the future. outstanding strengths: 1) fundamental assets — land, facilities, and irreplaceable plant collections, and 2) an excellent team BEGINNINGS: 1959-1990 of botanists, curators, and horticulturists with deep exper- Following the Colonel’s death (1953), Nell incorporated the tise. Botanical science is advanced by living collections, and Montgomery Foundation in 1959. At that time, we managed protective cultivation is often the best conservation strategy. a palm and cycad collec- MBC’s living plant collection of world significance, tions will be ever more vital closely involved with the in coming years. Our work of Fairchild Tropical future plans are organized Garden. A report by around plant collections Dr. John Popenoe noted and their requirements. the collection held over The team has developed 300 palm and around plans for 20 expeditions 40 cycad species. During by 2013, with a focus Nell’s time, numerous palm on collaborative research collections were added and ex situ conservation. by researchers including This ambitious target Dr. Barry Tomlinson and necessitates two critical Dr. Harold Moore. capital improvements: An early accomplish- MBC requires space for ment of Nell’s was doubling visiting scientists, and a our acreage from 60 to 120 greatly expanded nurs- in 1960. When Nell passed ery. We’re thrilled to be away in 1990, that land and moving forward with the a very generous financial gift The Near future at MBC: immediate capital improvement priorities. Chris Tyson Plant Con- Left: Chris Tyson Plant Conservation Building; Right: Nursery expansion plans. went to MBC. The early servation Building, to focus on plant collections advance our collaborative from Robert, and the vital land and funding from Nell strate- research capacity. Plans are developing for an expanded nurs- gically positioned MBC to advance botany going forward. ery complex, crucial for the increasing seed obtained by our work abroad. MEETING THE MISSION: 1990- 2009 Renewed emphasis on plant collections flourished in the last THE NEXT 50 YEARS two decades, as well as connecting these collections to research Beyond five or ten years, detailed planning is impracti- and conservation progress. Brief review of figures illustrates cal — but a guiding vision is critical. Could Nell predict the this progress. Since 1992, MBC conducted 71 expeditions. In details today when she acted in 1959? Perhaps not, but for a 2007 and 2008, we conducted 6 and 7 expeditions respectively, half-century MBC has kept the focus on Nell’s fundamental conserving endangered palms and cycads from as near as Flor- vision: living plant collections, research collaborations, and ida and Jamaica, and as far as Guam and Rota. Our inventory education. I confidently state: through a strong focus on serv- reflects this progress (see page 11), with 429 palm species and ing research, conservation and education, MBC will complete 257 cycad species conserved here. 100 years with an impressive record in botany, rooted in living The benefits of this work are shared ever wider. Our tally plant collections — 2059 will be a great year. of collaborating institutions and individuals (198) was higher M. Patrick Griffith, Ph.D., Executive Director [email protected]

Expert Help With Planning Through Tracy Magellan’s work, MBC recently obtained funding for an expert assessment. Funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services, The Conservation Assessment Program will professionally assess MBC’s living collections and infrastructure; this assessment is vital for future planning.

Spring/Summer 2009 | Montgomery Botanical News 5 C OLLECTIONS AND C ONNECTIONS

COPERNICIA BAILEYANA AT MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER

o describe this palm as majestic face of hurricane force winds. Coperni- it would likely compete with the Royal Tor stately hardly does it justice, as cia baileyana has a massive whitish trunk Palm as a choice for avenue plantings, the sight of a mature Bailey Palm is posi- which looks like fresh concrete, and can were it not for its slow rate of growth. exceed 60 feet in its natural habitat. Its crowning glory is the densely crowded head of ridged leaves which, when viewed from below, produce the effect of a halo. Native to dry forests and savannas of eastern and central Cuba, it nonetheless appreciates moist, well drained soil and can survive brief periods of inundation. Considered to be moderately salt toler- ant, our most impressive specimens grow within 10 meters of brackish lakes which rise and fall in response to the tides. Trio of Bailey Palms bowed but not broken Crown of Copernicia baileyana from below by a previous hurricane Indeed, this area of the garden has been completely flooded with sea water from tively arresting. Most of our palm species hurricane surge on more than one occa- Nevertheless, it has been underutilized could be described as graceful, their sion during the life of these palms. in the landscape and should be planted fronds moving in response to the slight- This trait would seem to makeCoper - wherever there is sufficient space. est breeze, but not so the Bailey Palm. nicia baileyana an ideal candidate for It stands stiff and unyielding even in the further planting in South Florida, and John Harshaw, Assitant Curator [email protected]

NEW CALEDONIA: PALMS AND RELIC CONIFERS

n the Pacific east of Australia and later added a number of very rare and Inorthwest of New Zealand, New interesting New Caledonian conifers Caledonia is a biotic island as much as a to our collections in 2007 and 2008, physical island, comprising a very unique many of which have adapted well to our relic flora of the ancient southern Conti- growing conditions. nent Gondwana. It is a wonderland of In late 2008, Ron Determann, Con- stunningly beautiful palms, unique coni- servatory Director of ABG, and I were fers, and a host of other unusual plants. invited to present our experiences cul- The survival of much of this flora is tivating New Caledonian plants at a related to its ability to adapt to the dif- special colloquium on aromatic, medici- ficult soils that dominate the southern nal and ornamental plants. I contributed part of the island. These soils are high in an overview of New Caledonian plants metals such as magnesium, nickel and conserved in North American Botanic chromium, but extremely low in calcium Gardens. With support from MBC and and phosphorus. ABG, we attended the conference and In 2000, MBC Palm Biologist studied the island’s flora. During these Dr. Larry Noblick visited the island studies we made key connections with to collect palms and the cycad, Cycas botanists, conservationists and native seemanii, that grow there. The lovely plant nurseries, to advance conservation Chambeyronia macrocarpa palms he col- of these amazing relics. lected have become quite an attractive part of the MBC landscape. Through Chad E. Husby, Collections Manager Night botany beside Lac en Huit, [email protected] MBC’s ongoing partnership with the Retrophyllum minus Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG), we

6 Montgomery Botanical News | Spring/Summer 2009 LAND FROM SEA

lthough scientific plant col- Although the wave cut bluffs below A lections are the keystone of the Nixon Smiley Building and the mys- the MBC mission, the varied natural terious solution pipes to the west are resources at the Center offer a wide arc quite dramatic, it is the doline, a closed of research, conservation and educa- depression that drains into the water tional opportunities. Marine biologists table, with the unique karren (limestone from the state Department of Environ- pinnacles) nestled in the southeast corner mental Protection have researched the of the CGP and used as a micro-habitat MBC lake system as potential manatee for various species of Zamia that seems rehabilitation habitat, icthyologists from to draw the interest and speculation of the Atlantic Gamefish Foundation have just about every visitor to the center, tracked the migratory patterns of Red- geologists and botanists, scientists and fish (Sciaenops ocellatus) through the laymen alike. lake and ditches, and geophysicists from It is somewhat amazing that some the University of Miami have used the of the species thriving in the MBC unique and secure environs of MBC to Sinkhole geology with students plant collections date back millions of develop prototype exploratory equip- years to the Mesozoic era, whereas just ment before deploying to less-forgiving karst formations encountered at loca- as recently as the Pleistocene this same offshore venues. Finally, geology classes tions worldwide. nurturing habitat was under 30 feet of from the University of Miami and Flor- I had the opportunity recently to trek ocean. Truly, as JE Hoffmeister puts it ida International University have found along with a group of geology graduate in his classic text on the geology of South that the undisturbed outcrops of the students from FIU, as Drs. Rene Price Florida, MBC is “land from the sea.” Atlantic Coastal Ridge seen at MBC and Grenville Draper explained some of are ideal for studying features typical of Lee Anderson, Superintendent the features of the escarpment. [email protected]

HOPE FOR ATTALEA CRASSISPATHA

n the summer of 1991, MBC of MBC’s palm collection. In 1997, Iwas fortunate to receive wild after being nurtured in our nursery for collected seed of Attalea crassispatha, six years, ten young Attalea crassispatha a rare palm which is considered to be palms were planted in the Palm Walk critically endangered in its homeland on MBC grounds. This collection is of Haiti. Fewer than thirty indi- one of only a few to be successfully vidual palms are thought to remain grown outside of its habitat in botani- in the wild, leading this palm to be cal gardens, and could in fact be one described as one of the rarest palms in of the largest ex situ collections of this the Americas. species in the world. Attalea crassispatha holds additional To date, the collection of Atta- scientific interest for botanists because lea crassispatha at MBC continues to of its unusual geographic distribution. thrive. In November 2008, eleven It is found only in the Caribbean, on years after its planting, one of these the southwestern peninsula of Haiti. palms became reproductively mature All other species of Attalea are found and initiated its first inflorescence. In in Central and South America, making January 2009, a second inflorescence Attalea crassispatha an isolated member emerged. Hopefully, viable seed will of its genus. soon be produced by our Caribbean For MBC, acquisitions such as treasures, providing MBC with the Attalea crassispatha highlight our resources to perhaps re-establish fal- efforts in the area of conservation: as tering populations in the wild and Attalea crassispatha, a critically Palm Curator, I was thrilled to have endangered palm species of Haiti further support the expansion of col- such an important palm become part lections outside of Haiti. Laurie Danielson, Palm Curator [email protected]

Spring/Summer 2009 | Montgomery Botanical News 7 PALM IDENTIFICATION: IT’S WHAT’S INSIDE THAT COUNTS

Butia archeri Butia x Jubaea hybrid Jubaea chilensis

dentifying palms is difficult without flowers or fruits. In enabled me to build a reference collection of these leaflet Ifact, many Syagrus species are impossible to distinguish sections for easy comparison of the species and the genera. without them. Therefore, young specimens can be problematic. There is enough anatomical variation in Syagrus leaflets to Lately, I have been experimenting with using palm leaflet make this method extremely useful. It has helped to identify anatomy as an alternative method of identification. Syagrus species that have been erroneously lumped together A double-sided razor blade and one side of a middle palm into a single species (i.e. species in the S. petraea complex). leaflet are all the materials needed. By folding the leaflet Last December, Richard Moyroud showed me a young lengthwise on itself a few times, bracing the folded leaflet palm that he thought might be Jubaea chilensis, the Chilean accordion on a stiff piece of cardboard, I am able to hand slice Wine Palm. The palm had the physical characters of a young a few good cross-sections and float them into a watch glass or Jubaea. After comparing the leaflet sections, it became obvious onto a glass slide. A dissecting scope separates the good sections that his Jubaea was hybridized with Butia. Hand sectioning is from the rest of the “palm salad” and a 100x microscope is quick and inexpensive, but in order to get a good leaflet section sufficient to examine the anatomy. Digital photography has one must be prepared to make a lot of “palm salad”. Larry Noblick, Ph.D., Palm Biologist [email protected]

PALM PREPARATION FOR COLD FRONTS AT MBC pon news of a cold front heading towards South Flor- The first thing we do is to ensure the plants have received Uida, MBC’s palm team jumps into action to prepare. adequate water (if appropriate) and that they are properly The first thing we do is confirm that the predicted temperature shielded from the cold. In this case we placed two layers of may damage our palms. This January, we had an overnight low burlap over the palms and then wrapped the palms with straps. of 37º F, the lowest in many years. We avoid using plastic, since it Special attention must be does not provide sufficient insu- given to plants from tropical lation from the cold and may regions such as Thrinax ekmani- further increase the burning of ana collected from Cuba. These the fronds due to condensation. palms are critically endangered in The most common symptom the wild and valuable to research of cold damage is burning and at MBC (see photo). discoloration of the palm fronds. Thrinax ekmaniana’s lack of We rarely lose palms during short low temperature tolerance makes cold snaps if properly protected, this palm extremely vulnerable but prolonged cold weather during cold snaps. Palms such increases this risk. as these are a priority in times of cold, as they can quickly suc- Felix Beruvides, Assistant Curator cumb to frost. Thrinax ekmanianawrapped in burlap [email protected]

Montgomery Botanical Center and International Collaboration The Board of Directors of MBC have unanimously adopted the MBC International Fieldwork and Collaboration Policy. For decades, MBC has conducted international research and conservation ﬁeldwork in an ethical and collaborative manner. The breadth of colleagues on the facing page illustrates this commitment. MBC has also been a leading institution in requiring rigorous permitting for plant material added to the scientiﬁc collections. The policy document can be viewed on the MBC website: www.montgomerybotanical.org

8 Montgomery Botanical News | Spring/Summer 2009 MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER 2008 COLLABORATORS AND COLLEAGUES

Anderson, Patti Ph.D. Ellison, Don Lopez-Gallego, Cristina Ph.D. Romanov, Mikhail Ph.D. Antioquia University Fairchild Challenge Lorenzi, Harri Rose, Janna American Public Gardens Fisher, Jack Ph.D. Madison Middle School Ruland, David Association Florida International Main Botanic Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences ArborPro University Russian Academy Of Science Safrin, Sabrina, Esq. Arevalo, Boris Florida DPI Manco, Brian San Francisco Botanical Arnold Arboretum Florida Nursery, Growers & Marc, Jean Garden Atlanta Botanical Garden Landscape Association Maschinski, Joyce Ph.D. Santos, Elba Austin Outdoor Folsom, James Ph.D. Mata, Martin Ph.D. Schokman, Larry Ayala-Silva, Tomas Ph.D. Forbes, Holly Matheson Hammock Schonmann, Jason Bacon, Christine Francisco-Ortega, Javier Ph.D. Matthews, Sarah Ph.D. Schutzman, Bart Ph.D. Beebe, Lisa Fruit and Spice Park Meerman, Jan South Florida Palm Society Belize Botanic Garden Fairchild Tropical Botanic Meerow, Alan Ph.D. Shenzen Fairy Lake Botanic Belize Forest Department Garden Mesozoic Landscapes Garden Bergquist, Jacqueline Fundacion Dobbo Yala Miami Beach Botanic Garden Shimonski, Jeff Bobrov, Alexy Ph.D. Ganna Walska Lotusland Miami MetroZoo Smith, Jason Ph.D. Bohls, Kerry Gardner, Martin Miami-Dade College Snapper Village Bok Sanctuary Gemini Gardens Montgomery Pinetum Stalker, Jeremy Ph.D. Brenner, Eric Ph.D. Gifford Arboretum Moore, Randal Stevenson, Dennis Ph.D. Caldwell, Russell Giles, Jonathan Moscow State University Suniny, Terence Carlson, Jana Green Hills Botanical Mounts Botanical Garden Syracuse University Center for Plant Conservation Collections Moyroud, Richard Tang, William Centre for Marine Studies Hall, John Namoff, Sandra Taylor, Alberto Ph.D. Central Florida Palm and Harry P. Leu Gardens North American Plant Tropical Flowering Tree Cycad Society Harvard University Collections Consortium Society Chapman Field Henderson, Andrew Ph.D. Naples Botanical Garden The Cycad Society Chormanski, Theresa Hernandez, Lucas National Environment and The Kampong Cibrian, Angelica Ph.D. Hird, Abby Planning Agency of Jamaica The Villagers City of Coral Gables Hodel, Don Ph.D. Newman, Arnold Ph.D. Tomlinson, Barry Ph.D. City of Miami Parks & Rec. Hoese, Geoff Nong Nooch Tropical Tropical Research and Clancy, Keith Ph.D. Horvitz, Carol Ph.D. Botanical Garden Education Center Clark, Leslie Huntington Botanical Gardens National Tropical Botanical Turks & Caicos National Trust Coastal Maine Botanic Inches, Fiona Garden Tyson, Christiane Garden Institute Plantarum The New York Botanical Tzub, Valentino Coconut Grove Garden Club Instituto de Ecologica Garden UC Davis Cole, Ian International Palm Society Oberli, Andreas UC Berkeley Botanic Garden Conifer Working Group International Society for the Organization for Tropical UC Santa Cruz Coral Gables Garden Club Preservation of the Tropical Studies University of Florida Cornell University Rainforest Palm Beach Palm & Cycad University of Miami Cozza, John Ph.D. Isaev, Sergei Ph.D. Society United States National Cruse-Sanders, Jenny Ph.D. IUCN Cycad Specialist Group Palm Beach Preservation Arboretum Cycad 2008 Jardin Botanico Del Quindio Society Universidad Autonoma de Davis, Jerrold Ph.D. Jezorek, Heather Palm Curators Group Chiriqui De Iglesias, Maria Felix John A. Ferguson Senior High Palm Society of South Texas Universidad de Ciencias y De Laubenfels, David Ph.D. School Perez-Farrera, Miguel Angel Artes de Chiapas, Mexico Denslow, Julie Ph.D. Johnson, Bob Ph.D. University of Delaware Determann, Ron Jones, David Philantropic Educational University of Georgia Diaz, Domingo Jungle Island Organization University of Panama Directors of Large Gardens Katinas, Liliana Ph.D. Pinecrest Gardens USDA Group Khorsand, Roxaneh Plant Conservation Centre University of South Florida Dolmetsch Arboretum Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden Pounders, Cecil Ph.D. UT Austin Donaldson, John Ph.D. Knopf, Patrick Ragone, Diane Ph.D. Vendrame, Wagner Ph.D. Dosmann, Michael Ph.D. Kramer, Andrea Rathbun, David Wanless, Harold Ph.D. Dowe, John Ph.D. Lee, David Ph.D. Royal Botanic Garden Welbourn, Cal Ph.D. Dransﬁeld, John Ph.D. Lewis, Carl Ph.D. Edinburgh Williams, Esther Durban Botanic Gardens Lindstrom, Anders Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Zomlefer, Wendy Ph.D. East Ridge Village Little, Damon Ph.D. Redland Nursery Zona, Scott, Ph.D. Elliott, Monica Ph.D. Longwood Graduate Program Romanov Katya Ph.D.

Above are individuals and institutions that received MBC plant material or in-kind support, or collaborated with MBC to advance botanical science, conservation, or education in 2008. MBC apologizes for any omissions or errors in accuracy.

Spring/Summer 2009 | Montgomery Botanical News 9 MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGES YOUR 2008 SUPPORT

MAJOR GIFT FOR BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2008 GRANTS Tyson, Christiane Coconut Grove Garden Club Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association PLEDGE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT The Institute for Museum and Library Services Haynes, Walter The Kelly Foundation The Villagers PAUL DRUMMOND FUND FOR PALM CONSERVATION Shimonski, Jeff South Florida Palm Society

IN HONOR OF LOYD G. KELLY VOLUNTEERS Kelly, Nicholas & Barbara Kelly, L. Patrick Larry Aronson Trish Hicks Bernard Scherban Vartanian, Christabel & Paul Duane Banks, M.D. Bob Hutchinson Cynthia Shore Clara Castillo Marilyn Johnson Karl Smiley, M.D. IN HONOR OF CHRIS TYSON Jonas Cinquini Vivian Jordan Cristina Strader Pearson, Steve Barbara Cunningham David Manz Victoria Strader Nora Deslow Margaret Martin Kirsten Tigler IN HONOR OF CHARLES P. SACHER Pearson, Steve Denise Disla Gwen Myres Erica Torres Bettye Douglas Daniela Noblick Penelope Twining IN HONOR OF WALTER D. HAYNES Jacquelin Garcia Alfredo Perez Chris Tyson Beaty, John T. Liliana Fundora Cliff Renshaw Brian Witcher Judy Grifﬁs Merilynn Renshaw Evelyn Young IN MEMORY OF JEANNE BILLS BELLAMY Bellamy, Thomas & Mable DONATIONS IN MEMORY OF DR. ALFRED R. ROBERTS Adt, James Hamann, Gregg & Debra Petrine, Louise Roberts, Susan C. Anderson, Patti Harris, Thomas M Priegues, Lazaro Anonymous Haynes, Marion D. Reyes, Armando IN SUPPORT OF COLLECTIONS DEVELOPMENT Baltin, Elias Haynes, Walter Robinson, Nettie Belle Bishock, Faith Beaty, John T. Hemmes, Don E. Sacher, Charles P. and Dewsnap, David C. Besse, Elizabeth & Byron Hibbard, Joe Dorothy Fessenden, Lillian Bobson, Cynthia & Robert Hibnick, Charles Sacher, Charles S. & Ana Gregory, Tim Boswell, Veronica Hicks, Patricia Sacher, Richard & Stark, Jean Bradford, S. Allen Holley, Brian E. Annamaria Turnbull, Sabra Brusberg, Marian Holton, Dale F. Schokman, Colleen & Burnham, Brian & Alicia Johnson, Beverley Larry IN SUPPORT OF HORTICULTURE Butler, Laurence M. Johnson, Bob & Catherine Schubert, David Davis, Matthew Chait, Jeffrey Keller, Kathleen & Karl Smiley, Karl & Charlotte Donovan, James & Amelia Clancy, Keith Kelly, Eileen & Loyd Solomon, Cheryl Colangelo, Marlene Kelly, L. Patrick Sparkman, George and IN SUPPORT OF THE SEEDBANK Curry, Louise Kelly, Nicholas & Barbara Gisela Smiley, Karl & Charlotte Curtis, Alan Leaser, David Tabak, Jeremy Davison, Marilyn and Lynch, Susan E. Talbott, Linda CONFERENCE SPONSORSHIP Walter Manz David & Sally Thorne, Robert Turnbull, Sabra De Laubenfels, David J. Manz, Peter A. & Jean Uhl, Natalie Delevoryas, Ted McNaughton, Robert Van De Water, Thomas & IN-KIND DONATIONS Dowdy, Thomas Miami Beach Botanical Jeanette Apex Engineering East Ridge Village Garden Garden Vartanian, Christabel & Banyan Tree Service Club Moore, Randal & Cindy Paul Danielson, Laurie Ebsary, Richard Noblick, Florence Wallace, Milton J. Magellan, Tracy Fitzpatrick, George Nutt, Carol Horvitz & Randy Ware, Catherine Scherban, Bernard Graves, Kenneth Olwell, Brian & Therese White, Paton Stevenson, Dennis Gundlach, Ruth P.E.O. Chapter K Young, Evelyn

Montgomery Botanical Center apologizes for any omissions or errors in accuracy.

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10 Montgomery Botanical News | Spring/Summer 2009 MBC TEAM NEWS

Claudia Calonje has been assigned the position of Collections Specialist. Claudia has been with Montgomery Botanical Center since 2007. She began as a volunteer and is now working in Collections. Her biology and botany degrees from the Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia provide a solid back- ground for her work here at Montgomery Botanical Center. Montgomery Botanical Center hosted the 2008 Volunteer Appreciation Lunch in the Nixon Smiley Building. It was well attended by volunteers and staﬀ. Volunteers donate thousands of hours a year to MBC; we thank them! THE VILLAGERS SUPPORT MONTGOMERY

The Villagers have been generous A GROWING NUMBER OF PLANTS supporters of Montgomery Botanical Center, granting funds for restoration work on Nell’s House and the Arthur BC’s growing collection includes palms, cycads, tropical conifers, and Montgomery Guesthouse. Mdicots. The entire collection is inventoried at the end of each year by the Collections Development Department, a process that can take several weeks to com- This year’s restoration grant will plete due to the size of the collection, which now includes 10,818 mapped and fund much needed wall restoration in labeled plants in the ground, and 14,468 in the nursery. the Arthur Montgomery Guesthouse. The inventory process involves tallying all existing plants in the collection. Since The guesthouse has been serving its every plant must be observed individually, it provides an opportunity to evaluate the purpose to house visiting scientists for health of individual plants, identify the sex of cycads that may have coned for the almost 75 years (since 1935). Various first time, and identify any other issues such as the need for replacing labels. notable guests, such as David Fairchild The completed inventory, stored in our database (BG-BASE), provides a list of and Dwight D. Eisenhower, used the plants and associated horticultural and phenological data that visiting researchers Arthur Montgomery Guesthouse while and students utilizing MBC’s collection are able to access. visiting the Montgomerys. It also provides a snapshot of the size and diversity of MBC’s collection. The The Villagers’ grant advances the statistics obtained from the yearly inventory can be used to compare with the inven- MBC mission of supporting research, tories done in other years to determine the growth and diversity of the collection. Numbers of taxa and accessions trend upwards over the years, but hurricane years education, and conservation through the sometimes reduce these numbers. restoration of the guesthouse. Visiting The inventory process is critical to fulfilling MBC’s mission goals of advancing researchers from overseas are routinely science, education, conservation, and horticultural knowledge of tropical plants. hosted here, from distant places such as Australia, Russia, or Colombia, as they Claudia Calonje, Collections Specialist study MBC’s living plant collections. [email protected] The Villagers highlight MBC in their second cookbook titled, Cook It Like A Native! MBC is showcased on pages 134, MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER 136, and 156. The proceeds from the “Other” includes cookbook fund future projects supported OLLECTION NVENTORY 2008 C I tropical conifers by The Villagers. and tropical The Villagers have also supported the Palms Cycads Other flowering trees. restoration of David Fairchild’s Study Total Taxa 429 257 556 In this inventory, at The Kampong and the Gatehouse at in ground 356 227 457 taxa counts are of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. in nursery 149 129 136 species, subspecies, We thank the Villagers for their Total Accessions 2,273 1,959 2,245 and varieties. continued support in helping us preserve in ground 1,805 1,282 2,046 An accession is a and restore these two buildings while in nursery 515 761 200 collection of seeds they continue to serve the vital mission Total Plants 13,150 9,345 2,791 from one source or and operations of MBC. in ground 5,222 3,191 2,405 locality. in nursery 7,928 6,154 386 Tracy Magellan, Funding & Communications [email protected]

Spring/Summer 2009 | Montgomery Botanical News 11 MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER NON-PROFIT ORG. 11901 Old Cutler Road U.S. POSTAGE PAID Miami, FL 33156-4242 MIAMI FL PERMIT NO. 1302

hough Montgomery Botanical Center is 50 years old this year, our history runs deeper. Prior to theT establishment of The Montgomery Foundation, Robert and Nell Montgomery founded Fairchild Tropical Garden in 1938. They held numerous, lavish parties to beneﬁt Fairchild and also donated the original trolley, the “Fairchild Rambler,” used at the Ramble. Many of the pictures we use from the Montgomery Archive date back before 1959. Miami’s Botanical Heritage is rooted in the lives of the Montgomerys and the institutions they gave us, Montgomery Botanical Center and Fairchild Tropical Garden. This photo was taken from a Christmas Card sent out by Robert and Nell Montgomery (pictured) in 1950.