The Mark Dimmitt Desert Plant Conservatory

Plants are fundamental to the function and health of all terrestrial ecosystems, however, humans have evolved to prioritize objects and phenomena that are atypical of plants, creating a sort of "plant blindness". This cognitive bias results in a dissconnect between humans and plants that threatens our ability to recognize the benefits and essential functions they provide in our world, and in a failure to care for them in such a way that they can thrive or survive. Desert plants have evolved toughness to many abiotic stresses and unusual forms that make them an ideal tool to treat plant blindness. Their unusual forms catch our attention, and their complex adaptations and responses to their environment inspire greater appreciation for the critical interactions occurring therein. 

With this is mind, the desert plant conservatory was imagined initially as a place designated for the display of a diverse collection of the most unusual desert plants available to us. The plant science undergraduate club members rallied around the inspiration, collecting and donating plants, building a webpage to house species photos and descriptions they researched, planning for propagation, plant sales and tours of the conservatory, and designing botanical signage to connect greenhouse visitors to the educational content on the web pages associated with each species. 

In the planning process, fate intervened to connect the idea to an inspired and generous donor, Helen, and her long time friend, Mark Dimmitt, the coolest plant collector in the southwest (uncontested :) With their support, not only did the concept for the conservatory evolve but the collection grew in scope, purpose, and size, the space to house the collection blossomed into a more colorful, inspiring, and educational space, and students deepened their knowledge base but expanded their network of experts through interactions with Mark, Helen, and many of their friends including nursery owners Dan Bach (Bach's Cactus Nursery), Mark Sitter (B&B Cactus Nursery, Jane Evans (Plants For The Southwest Nursery), Gene Joseph (Livingstones Nursery) and others. 

While the space will grow and develop in the years to come it is already poised to become a secret garden, tucked away in a hidden greenhouse on top of the parking garage, and packed with visual and informational treasures. One special aspect of the collection is the associated record relating to the natural history of many of the plant specimens which the students heard from Mark Dimmitt directly. We are so pleased to learn through the lens of someone who has such a rich knowledge and appreciation for plants.

While there are more detailed descriptions of the plants in the collection (through the Plant Science Club site), here are some stories about a few of the plants Mark donated which he shared with us.

1. This species is quite difficult to root from cuttings, but easy to grow once established. It can grow into a large shrub. Because of its habitat on a small oceanic island, it does not tolerate either desert heat or much cold.

1. The specific epithet is enclosed in double quotes to indicate that it is an illegitimate name. Its proper name is A. obesum. That name, however, is incorrectly applied to plants in Kenya and Tanzania, and it is not settled what its correct name is.

1. F. macdougallii grows in tropical thornscrub and tropical deciduous forest. Unlike F. splendens, this species flowers at least 3 times a year. It is hardy to about 26 F.
2. There are two botanists with the same last name but different spellings. This species was named for Thomas Baillie MacDougall, with a double “l”.
3. The first 4 digits in my accession numbers are the year I acquired the plant (the others have little value to others). This is one of the oldest clones in my collection.