Arid Collection

A collection of plants adapted to arid environments.

Cacti in the Princess of Wales Conservatory

Location: Tropical Nursery, Princess of Wales Conservatory and Temperate House

Taxa: 2,000   Accessions: 5,000   Wild-sourced: 30%

Geographic strengths:  Africa, Madagascar and the Americas

Taxonomic strengths: Aizoaceae, Asphodeloideae (Aloe, Gasteria, Haworthia, Bulbine), Cactaceae (including epiphytic Cactaceae and Melocactus), succulent Euphorbiaceae, succulent and herbaceous Pelargonium species, Crassulaceae (Adromischus, Tylecodon, Sedum, Echeveria, Cotyledon and Crassula), Asparagaceae (Agave), succulent/caudiciform Apocynaceae and succulent Vitaceae

Notable specimens: Sansevieria kirkii var. pulchra dating back to 1903; Cylindrophyllum hallii, saved from extinction and propagated at Kew; the Critically Endangered Aloe suzannae and Aloe helenae from Madagascar; Dioscorea strydomiana, a Critically Endangered medicinal plant and the world’s most threatened yam; and Aloidendron barberae, collected by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother during the Royal Tour in the Union of South Africa in 1947.