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Conservatory of Flowers
  • Home
  • Visit
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Hours
    • Admission
    • Audio Tour
  • Exhibits
    • Map
    • Galleries & What’s in Bloom
    • Virtual Tour
  • Learn
    • Self-Guided Student Visits
    • 3-5th Grade Guided Visits
    • Educational Resources
  • Your Event
    • Event Rentals
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Jan 07

The Pride of Burma: Amherstia nobilis

by Kristen Natoli, Chief Nursery Specialist at the Conservatory of Flowers

The Pride of Burma (Amherstia nobilis) in Aquatic Plants gallery has had a long journey with the Conservatory of Flowers, which makes it all the more exciting to observe this long-awaited full bloom!   Native to Myanmar, this small tree from the Leguminosae family is very rarely encountered in the wild but has been cultivated throughout the tropics.  This species rarely produces viable seed and is mostly vegetatively propagated.  I love it for the elegant drape of the tender new leaves, but the flowers are spectacular and something we have yet to really experience.

Our tree’s journey began when an avid fan of tropical plants and the Conservatory of Flowers contacted us in 2016 to recommend introducing a few flowering trees to the collection.  A donor from Sacramento was so interested in experiencing this tree that he could not grow at home, that he offered to source and donate a specimen to us.

At the time I was unfamiliar with the Pride of Burma but after some research, I was completely enchanted and readily agreed.  In spring of 2017, the donor had an air-layered specimen of Pride of Burma rushed to us from a nursery in Hawaii.  At the time it was a spindly 12” plant distressed from the journey.  It took me a few years to figure out the unique needs of the plant, during which it limped along and had one ‘stress bloom’ but didn’t show much promise.

Eventually I got the hang of the plant’s unique needs (lots of fertilizer, lots of magnesium and plenty of room for roots) and it began to thrive. During the COVID closure I decided it was showtime for this lovely tree and I introduced it into the Aquatics gallery, placing just north of the door to Highland Tropics.  The tree is now on the cusp of rewarding us with an extraordinary show of tropical beauty.  I hope you all get a chance to see it!

Amherstia nobilis started blooming in the Aquatic Plants Gallery on January 8th, 2022. Make sure to visit in the next few days to view this spectacular bloom! Even if you miss the flowers, this tree is still remarkable, particularly for the rich copper color and droopy appearance of its new leaves. This leaf color is likely an adaptation that makes tender new growth look unappetizing to potential predators. 

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What's spiky, swamp-dwelling, and (at least) seven feet tall? It's the Swamp Arum, Lasimorpha senegalensis. Its bloom is perched on a towering stalk that nearly reaches the ceiling of the Aquatic Plants Gallery! Swipe for a closer look at the distinctively patterned bract that nearly encloses its inflorescence. Could this snazzy bract help attract pollinators to visit the many tiny flowers inside? 

As its name suggests, the Swamp Arum is an aquatic plant found in swamp forests and ponds of Western Africa. A leaf extract from this species is used in Nigerian traditional medicine for treatment of liver disease, and a few scientific studies have evaluated compounds in this plant for potential antibacterial properties and protective benefits for the liver.
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What's spiky, swamp-dwelling, and (at least) seven feet tall? It's the Swamp Arum, Lasimorpha senegalensis. Its bloom is perched on a towering stalk that nearly reaches the ceiling of the Aquatic Plants Gallery! Swipe for a closer look at the distinctively patterned bract that nearly encloses its inflorescence. Could this snazzy bract help attract pollinators to visit the many tiny flowers inside? As its name suggests, the Swamp Arum is an aquatic plant found in swamp forests and ponds of Western Africa. A leaf extract from this species is used in Nigerian traditional medicine for treatment of liver disease, and a few scientific studies have evaluated compounds in this plant for potential antibacterial properties and protective benefits for the liver.
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1/9
Marveling at the many leaf sizes, shapes and shades found in the Potted Plants gallery.
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Marveling at the many leaf sizes, shapes and shades found in the Potted Plants gallery.
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2/9
The delicate and fragrant Rhyncholaelia glauca is currently blooming in the Potted Plants gallery. 

Its a treat to get to see (and smell) this species up close. If you encountered it the wild, it would be likely growing high up in the trees as an epiphyte - farther from eye & nose level! 

Haven't heard of a Rhyncholaelia? That's no surprise - this is one of just 2 species in this genus. The other is Rhyncholaelia digbyana, the national flower of Honduras.
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The delicate and fragrant Rhyncholaelia glauca is currently blooming in the Potted Plants gallery. Its a treat to get to see (and smell) this species up close. If you encountered it the wild, it would be likely growing high up in the trees as an epiphyte - farther from eye & nose level! Haven't heard of a Rhyncholaelia? That's no surprise - this is one of just 2 species in this genus. The other is Rhyncholaelia digbyana, the national flower of Honduras.
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3/9
Don’t miss the Conservatory of Flowers’ ✨Award Winning ✨ display at the Pacific Orchid Exposition! Very fitting for this year’s expo theme: Masquerade. Congratulations to our horticulture team for creating this clever and beautiful display.

See the it yourself today, tomorrow & Sunday at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park - along with thousands of orchids in the show and sale, educational demonstrations and more. See the link in our bio for the full event description & ticket information.
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Don’t miss the Conservatory of Flowers’ ✨Award Winning ✨ display at the Pacific Orchid Exposition! Very fitting for this year’s expo theme: Masquerade. Congratulations to our horticulture team for creating this clever and beautiful display. See the it yourself today, tomorrow & Sunday at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park - along with thousands of orchids in the show and sale, educational demonstrations and more. See the link in our bio for the full event description & ticket information.
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4/9
Last chance to see this funky, fabulous flower of the Fabaceae! The Pride of Burma (Amherstia nobilis) is a member of Pea family (Fabaceae) and has a uniquely shaped flower like many of its relatives. It's nearing the final day or two of its bloom in the Aquatic Plants gallery.
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Last chance to see this funky, fabulous flower of the Fabaceae! The Pride of Burma (Amherstia nobilis) is a member of Pea family (Fabaceae) and has a uniquely shaped flower like many of its relatives. It's nearing the final day or two of its bloom in the Aquatic Plants gallery.
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5/9
Wanted: young orchid growers. Show your beautiful orchids at the 2022 Pacific Orchid Exposition hosted by @sforchidsociety! Enter plants in the youth category (ages 17 and under) and you might just be awarded the Imperiale Youth Prize, like previous winner Helen Liu. To be considered, bring plants with known names to Plant Entry at the SF County Fair Building tomorrow, Wednesday, 2/23, from 3pm to 8pm, and enter in Section 1200 as a youth exhibitor.

For everyone else, be sure to visit the 2022 Pacific Orchid Exposition this coming weekend (2/24-2/27) to see thousands of orchid flowers on display, a plant sale, hands-on horticultural demonstrations, and more. Plus the Conservatory of Flowers is just a 15-minute walk away from the County Fair Building, so you can visit us too!
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Wanted: young orchid growers. Show your beautiful orchids at the 2022 Pacific Orchid Exposition hosted by @sforchidsociety! Enter plants in the youth category (ages 17 and under) and you might just be awarded the Imperiale Youth Prize, like previous winner Helen Liu. To be considered, bring plants with known names to Plant Entry at the SF County Fair Building tomorrow, Wednesday, 2/23, from 3pm to 8pm, and enter in Section 1200 as a youth exhibitor. For everyone else, be sure to visit the 2022 Pacific Orchid Exposition this coming weekend (2/24-2/27) to see thousands of orchid flowers on display, a plant sale, hands-on horticultural demonstrations, and more. Plus the Conservatory of Flowers is just a 15-minute walk away from the County Fair Building, so you can visit us too!
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6/9
Looking to make this Valentine's Day one to remember? The Conservatory of Flowers offers intimate proposals and micro wedding packages that will create memories to last a lifetime. For more information, please visit the link in our bio and check out the events page to submit an inquiry.
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Looking to make this Valentine's Day one to remember? The Conservatory of Flowers offers intimate proposals and micro wedding packages that will create memories to last a lifetime. For more information, please visit the link in our bio and check out the events page to submit an inquiry.
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7/9
The delicate flowers of Angraecum eburneum, sometimes called the Comet Orchid. Currently blooming in the Potted Plants gallery! 

Photo credit ©SaxonHolt/PhotoBotanic (@summerdry.gardens)
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The delicate flowers of Angraecum eburneum, sometimes called the Comet Orchid. Currently blooming in the Potted Plants gallery! Photo credit ©SaxonHolt/PhotoBotanic (@summerdry.gardens)
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8/9
The Pacific Orchid Exposition is just over two weeks away! Come join the Orchid Masquerade from February 24th-27th at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park.

There will be thousands of orchid flowers and plants on display, with judging from the American Orchid Society, as well as plants for sale from members of the San Francisco Orchid Society as well as many local, national & international nurseries. Hands-on demonstrations will be conducted by experts with information about successfully growing and blooming orchids at home in San Francisco, as well as ongoing efforts to promote habitat conservation around the world. Families are welcome, and there will be special activities for kids and people of all ages and interests.

This event is hosted by the San Francisco Orchid Society. As usual, the Conservatory of Flowers will be participating with a spectacular botanical display. 

Learn more about the event, health and safety guidelines, and how to buy tickets via the link in our bio.
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The Pacific Orchid Exposition is just over two weeks away! Come join the Orchid Masquerade from February 24th-27th at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. There will be thousands of orchid flowers and plants on display, with judging from the American Orchid Society, as well as plants for sale from members of the San Francisco Orchid Society as well as many local, national & international nurseries. Hands-on demonstrations will be conducted by experts with information about successfully growing and blooming orchids at home in San Francisco, as well as ongoing efforts to promote habitat conservation around the world. Families are welcome, and there will be special activities for kids and people of all ages and interests. This event is hosted by the San Francisco Orchid Society. As usual, the Conservatory of Flowers will be participating with a spectacular botanical display. Learn more about the event, health and safety guidelines, and how to buy tickets via the link in our bio.
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9/9
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Conservatory of Flowers
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San Francisco, CA 94118
415-831-2090

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