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> Summit Garden Panama: Its Historic Role in Tropical Plant Introduction, Knowledge and Use in the Western Hemisphere
Summit Garden Panama: Its Historic Role in Tropical Plant Introduction, Knowledge and Use in the Western Hemisphere
Number 1 - February 2007
Adrian Benedetti and Charlotte Elton
Poster Abstract
The Canal Zone Plant Introduction Gardens, Summit, were established in 1923, at the urging of David Fairchild, who chose the site at “Summit”, the continental divide between the Pacific and Atlantic at the narrowest point of the Isthmus of Panama.
The poster will illustrate with maps, photos and text, the introduction and dissemination through Summit Garden of over 15,000 tropical plants.
These include rubber for plantations, termite-resistant teak, Manila hemp, Java grass for drill grounds and airfields, disease-resistant sugar cane and banana varieties, pasture grasses for tropical dairy production. Ornamental palms at Summit are world-famous today (200 species introduced, including the endangered Pelagodoxa). Mangosteens, over 100 mango varieties, citrus fruit trees and bamboos were introduced through Summit Garden.
Summit Garden has historically close links with both Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden, and Missouri Botanical Garden, the latter originally through an orchid collection from trees drowned when the Chagres River was dammed for the Panama Canal. MBG published the first volume of Flora of Panama in 1943 and helped establish and manage a Herbarium and Library at Summit, from 1971 to 1979.
Summit Natural Park-Panama´s mission today is to reflect and enhance Panama´s tropical diversity, through recreation, education, conservation and research.
About the Authors
Abstract of presentation submitted to the 3GBGC in Wuhan , China, 2007 by ADRIAN BENEDETTI* as presenter, and Charlotte Elton as co author.
Adrian Benedetti is Director of Summit Natural Park-Panama, or Summit Gardens.
Charlotte Elton is a volunteer at Summit.
Contact: Charlotte Elton
telephone +507 315-0544
email saranela@cwpanama.net
Address: PO Box 0843-02935
Panama, Republic of Panama
Wednesday, 14 February 2007
