Since its creation it has been a place of encounter with nature and a wealth of conservation of conspicuous plant species, from the center, south and insular regions of the country, becoming a place of learning , culture and enjoyment in the province of Valparaiso.
The National Botanic Garden offers to the public:
- A park of 22 ha designed in 1918 by George Dubois, french arquitect and landscape designer , containing more than 280 species:
- Exotic plants: European beech, Lebanese and Japanese Cedars, and North American sequoias among others.
- Native plants including some endemic of the Coast Schlerophyllous Forest such as Peumo Cryptocarya alba, Boldo, Quillay, Maitén Maitenus boaria, Molle, Northern Acorn Beilschmiedia miersii, Lúcumo Pouteria splendens.
- A Cactarium including 670 cactus of 60 species and a colection from Central America
- A colection of 578 plants from 31 endemic species from the Archipiélago Juan Fernández
- A colection of plants from the Valdivian Temperate Rainforest
- A colection of the extinct Toromiro; Sophora toromiro from Easter Island.
It is one of the few documented colections in the world.
- A Palm Colection whith 25 Chilean palm; Jubaea chilensis, and exotic palms
The National Botanic Garden has a total of 779 species of which 42,5% are native.
Atractions:
- The “Marianne North” path with its enviromental interpretation.
- Lawns
- French Garden
- Natural water causeway
- Small waterfalls
- Japanese bridge
- Artificial lagoon with its arbour and interior sluice gates
- Water fowl which swim peacefully in the lagoon from October to May
- Pic-nic area
- CANOPY; a sports adventure program which incluyes a circuit through swaying and hanging bridges, tibetan and tirolese cables between trees of great height.
Furthermore, the National Botanic Garden is the habitat for endemic bird species, such as the Tenca , foreigners such as the quail and summer visitors like the giant humming bird, the shy and hard to find Fío-Fío and the “Cuca” heron. Finally, the garden is a resting place and a source of food for migrating birds. Birds that can be found in the botanical garden:
Bailarín chico Anthus correndera chilensis
Cachudito Anairetes Palurus Palurus
Carpinterito Picoides lignarius
Chercan Troglogytes aedon chilensis
Chincol Zonotrichia capensis chilensis
Chirigüe Sicalis luteiventris
Churrete Cinclodes patagonicus chilensis
Codorniz Callipepla californica
Cometocino Phrygilus gayi gayi
Diuca Diuca diuca
Diucón Xolmis pyrope pyrope
Fío-fío Elaenia albiceps chilensis
Garza chica Egretta thula thula
Garza cuca Ardea cocoi
Garza grande Casmerodius albus egretta
Golondrina chilena Tachycineta melleni
Gorrión Passer domesticus
Guairavo Nycticorax nycticorax
Jilguero Carduelis Barbata
Loica Sturnella loyca
Mirlo Molothrus bonariensis
Paloma Columba livia
Pato real Anas sibilatrix
Picaflor gigante Patagona gigas gigas
Picaflor Sephanoides galeritas
Picurio Podilymbus podiceps antarcticus
Piden Rallus sanguinolentus landbecki
Pimpollo Rollandia rolland
Platero Phrygilus alaudinus alaudinu
Queltehue Vanellus chilensis chilensis
Rara Phytotoma rara
Rayadito Aphrastura spinicauda spinicauda
Taguita Gallinula melanops crassirostris
Tenca Mimus thenca
Tijeral Leptasthenura aegithaloides aegithaloides
Torcaza Patagioenas araucana
Tordo Curaeus curaeus curaeus
Tortolita Cuyana Columbina Picus
Tucúquere Bubo magellanicus
Yeco Phalacrocorax brasilianus brasilianus
Zorzal Turdus falklandii
The botanical garden has an enviroment educational programme through which children recieve lessons outdoors between the months of March and December.
As well, bookings for events such as weddings, out-door concerts, birthdays exhibitions are available.
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