This 12,500 sq. ft. facility is designed
to function as a living laboratory for the department's plant and ecology
related courses. More than 6,000 exotic plants, representing over 1,200
distinct species, are maintained here. Four simulated environments - tropical,
warm temperate, cool
temperateand desert - facilitate students' understanding of the diversity
of plant species and their ecologies. All plants are labeled with information
regarding their taxonomies, geographic origins, common names and economic
uses.
In 1961 Binghamton's first campus greenhouse was added
to the newly completed campus science complex: present day Science 1.
Although it was small (only 480 square feet), it proved innovative.
For the first time living plant materials could be provided year-round
for botany related coursework. Previously, only dried plant specimens
and plant parts preserved in alcohol were available.
The first greenhouse held nearly 200 plant species;
but soon it couldn't keep pace with the ever-expanding course demands.
