Biosphäre Potsdam - about plants

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PLANTS OF THE BIOSPHERE

Here we present a small selection of the more than 20.000 plants and trees to be found at the Biosphere. But there is much more to find out by visiting us.

ANTHURIUM

Family: Araceae

General information: The anthurium originates from the South American tropics (Brazil, Costa Rica, Columbia, Venezuela, Peru, Mexico). There are almost 600 different species of anthurium, yet only the large and small Flamingo Flower have been accepted on the flower market, also known as Anthurium andreanum and scherzerianum. Both these species were introduced into our environment from their South American habitat about 100 years ago.

The fruit of the anthurium consists of orange-coloured berries. It takes about a year from pollination to the ripe fruit. Each berry contains three seeds, however these are only germinable for a very short time once outside the fruit. Anthurium can grow from 70 cm up to 250 cm in height. The taller specimens grow a very interesting stem.

VANILLA
VANILLA PLANIFOLIA

Family: Orchid ( Orchidaceae )

General information: Vanilla is a species of orchid that grows either on the ground or hanging on trees. The greenish-yellow flowers are about 7 cm long and grow in compact bunches. They are open for only a few hours per day and hummingbirds and other insects take care of the pollination. The vanilla is indigenous of southern Mexico, and it is mainly cultivated in Central America, the Caribbean Islands, not so much in tropical Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia as well as the Pacific Islands. The pod-shaped fruit can reach up to 25 cm in length and 6 – 10 mm width and hang from the plant. Both the pod and the seeds contain the highly aromatic vanillin.

Uses: The Aztecs already used vanilla as a spice. To unfold their aroma, the pods must be fermented. This is done by steaming or boiling them for a short while, then leaving them to the heat of the sun and finally covering them with cloths to make them “sweat” for a few weeks. Only after such a treatment the pods acquire the brown colouring, as we know them.

Cultivation areas: Vanilla requires a hot tropical climate up to a height of 800 m. They require also abundant rain during the growth period, and a dry and hot season for growing their fruit. The pods are harvested just before maturing, before they open. The fermented pods are kept in airtight containers to preserve their aroma for years.

INGER
ZINGIBER OFFICINALE

Family: Zingiberaceae

General information: Ginger grows in the tropics and subtropics and is cultivated in countries such as India, Indonesia, China Vietnam, Japan, Australia, Nigeria and South America. The origin of the ginger plant is not known for certain. It probably originated in the Pacific Islands. The spice reached Germany in the 9th Century. Ginger has an antibacterial effect, is antiemetic (effective against vomiting and nausea), encourages the blood circulation, increases the gall production and is considered to be an aphrodisiac. Ginger can be an either mild or strong spice, depending on its cultivation method, harvesting point and preparation method.

Cultivation areas: The largest cultivation areas for ginger on are in the tropics and subtropics. Nigeria is the largest production region (yield 125.000 tons). China is the biggest ginger exporter (232.000 tons).