Sherman Gardens showcases plants from around the world. Blooms can come in all shapes, sizes and colors. So while you may be dazzled by the display beds there are many unique plants to explore in every corner of the Garden. Here are some of the highlights to look for as you walk through the Tropical Conservatory.
Acalypha hispida
Family Name: Euphorbiaceae
Common Name: Chenille Plant
Provenance: Malay Peninsula
Anthurium hookeri
Family Name: Araceae
Common Name: Bird’s Nest Anthurium
Provenance: Caribbean Islands
Calathea ‘Burle Marx’
Family Name: Marantaceae
Common Name: Prayer Plant
Provenance: Commercial Hybrid
Calathea ‘Vittata’
Family Name: Marantaceae
Common Name: Prayer Plant
Provenance: Commercial Hybrid
Cocos nucifera
Family Name: Arecaceae
Common Name: Coconut Palm
Provenance: Coastal Tropical Asia
Costus barbatus
Family Name: Costaceae
Common Name: Red Spiral Ginger
Provenance: Costa Rica
Conservation Concern: Critically Endangered
Costus malortieanus
Family Name: Costaceae
Common Name: Stepladder Ginger
Provenance: Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras
Cryptanthus bivittatus hybrid
Family Name: Bromeliaceae
Common Name: Earth Star
Provenance: Commercial Hybrid
Cryptanthus zonatus
Family Name: Bromeliaceae
Common Name: Earth Star
Provenance: Brazil
Dendrobium ‘Star Glory Passion’
Family Name: Orchidaceae
Common Name: Nobile Dendrobium Hybrid
Provenance: Commercial Hybrid
Encyclia bractescens
Family Name: Orchidaceae
Common Name:
Provenance: Mexico and Central America
Ficus pseudopalma
Family Name: Moraceae
Common Name: Philippine Fig
Provenance: Luzon, Philippines
Conservation Concern: Endemic
Guzmania hybrid
Family Name: Bromeliaceae
Common Name: Tufted Airplant
Provenance: Commercial Hybrid
Guzmania hybrid
Family Name: Bromeliaceae
Common Name: Tufted Airplant
Provenance: Commercial Hybrid
Heliconia rostrata
Family Name: Heliconiaceae
Common Name: Lobster Claw
Provenance: Central and South America
Maxillaria tenuifolia
Family Name: Orchidaceae
Common Name: Coconut Pie Orchid
Provenance: Mexico and Central America
Medinilla magnifica
Family Name: Melastomataceae
Common Name: Show Medinilla or Rose Grape
Provenance: Philippines
Conservation Concern: Listed on the Hawaiʻi Department of Forestry and Wildlife’s list, “Hawaiʻi’s Most Invasive Horticultural Plants.” Both species are on the ‘no grow’ species list for the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) Plant Pono program.
Miltonia spectabilis
Family Name: Orchidaceae
Common Name:
Provenance: Brazil
Musa acuminata ‘Zebrina’
Family Name: Musaceae
Common Name: Blood Banana
Provenance: Commercial Hybrid
Neoregellia carolinae
Family Name: Bromeliaceae
Common Name: Blushing Bromeliad
Provenance: Brazil
Nepenthes ampullaria ‘Brunei Red’
Family Name: Nepenthaceae
Common Name: Pitcher Plant
Provenance: Brunei, naturally occurring variety
Pavonia multiflora
Family Name: Malvaceae
Common Name: Brazilian Candles
Provenance: Brazil
Phaius tankervilleae
Family Name: Orchidaceae
Common Name: Nun’s orchid
Provenance: Subtropical/Tropical Asia
Racinea ‘Dr. Seuss’
Family Name: Bromeliaceae
Common Name:
Provenance: Commercial Hybrid
Theobroma cacao
Family Name: Malvaceae
Common Name: Cacao Tree
Provenance: Amazon Basin
Tillandsia usneoides
Family Name: Bromeliaceae
Common Name: Spanish Moss
Provenance: Tropical and Subtropical Americas
Verschaffeltia splendida
Family Name: Arecaceae
Common Name: Seychelles Stilt Palm
Provenance: Seychelles
Conservation Concern:
Native and endemic to the Seychelles, the Verscheffeltia splendida is the only species in its genus and has a very restricted range on three islands: Mahé, Silhouette and Praslin. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, “the invasion of alien plant species and habitat loss due to human settlements are potential threats to this species, but it does not seem to be strongly affected by these threats. It is listed as Near Threatened, because of the gradual reduction of its natural habitats from the invasion of alien plants such as true cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and Malabar plum (Syzygium jambos)”.
Vriesea splendens
Family Name: Bromeliaceae
Common Name: Flaming Sword Plant
Provenance: Trinidad, eastern Venezuela and the Guianas