Where am I Wednesday: A Secret Campus Oasis
More than 400 species of plants from around the world can be found in SDSU's Greenhouse.
The San Diego State University Greenhouse is located between Life Science North and Life Science South. Its purpose is to house and maintain plant collections used for teaching and research.
The not-so-secret humble oasis contains more than 400 species of plants from around the world, including peculiar and rare specimens that require delicate, expert care.
The green thumb behind the operation is Bob Mangan, who earned his bachelor’s degree in botany from SDSU in the 1970s.
Special areas of the Greenhouse are set aside for research and class projects. Six different rooms of the Greenhouse depict different climatic conditions, housing approximately 400 species of plants from around the world. Highlights of these plants include;
- Manihot esculenta — the source of tapioca
- Vanilla planifolia — the vanilla orchid
- Coffea arabica — coffee
- Several African plants
- Numerous North and South American bromeliads and cacti
Visiting hours for the greenhouse are between 9 and 11 a.m., Monday through Friday.
