Botanical garden

Botanical Garden

A Botanical Garden (pronunciation: bəˈtanɪk(ə)l ˈɡɑːd(ə)n) is a dedicated space where plants are grown and displayed for the purposes of research, conservation, and education.

Etymology

The term "Botanical Garden" is derived from the Greek word "botane" which means "grass" or "pasture". The word "garden" comes from the Old English "geard", meaning a fenced enclosure.

Definition

A Botanical Garden is a controlled and managed environment which is often associated with research institutions or universities. These gardens contain a wide variety of plants, both native and exotic, that are cultivated for scientific study, conservation, display, and education.

Related Terms

Herbarium: A collection of preserved plant specimens and associated data used for scientific study.
Arboretum: A botanical garden devoted to trees.
Conservatory: A building with glass walls and roof; for the cultivation and exhibition of plants under controlled conditions.
Greenhouse: A structure with walls and roof made chiefly of transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic conditions are grown.

Importance

Botanical Gardens play a crucial role in plant conservation, with many gardens housing rare and endangered species within their collections. They also serve as educational centers, providing information about plant species, their cultivation, and their importance to the environment.