Descanso Gardens Inaugurates, Opens its Positively Primeval Ancient Forest

 

Descanso Gardens, located in La Cañada Flintridge, inaugurated their Ancient Forest on Saturday morning.

“Our new Ancient Forest gives us a glimpse into the past,” said Nadia Hagan, Assistant Manager of Education from Descanso Gardens.

Just follow the dinosaur footprints towards the Tyrannosaurus Rex for a look at the “new collection of cycads and other plants from long, long ago,” she added.

The new collection of cycads was donated to Descanso Gardens by Katia and Frederick Elsea. It includes almost 180 plants and according to Nadia these plants “tell us what our Earth might have looked like,” as these plants were a major part of the ecosystem when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

The Ancient Forest features a mixture of cycads, ferns, and other ancient plants from all over the world. Present at the inauguration were Jessie George and Rocio Santoyo, educators from the Natural History Museum.

“Today we brought out a few fossils from plant material, as well as dinosaur material,” said Santoyo. Among one of the most popular dinosaur materials at their display Fossil Table was “coprolites,” which is “ancient fossilized poop,” said Santoyo.

The coprolites can actually reveal information on the “animals and plants in the environment,” such as, whether or not the animal was a carnivore, by examining if there are animal remains in the feces. On the other hand, it can also reveal if the animal is an herbivore if plants are found.

In regards to the cycads, Santoyo said they were “very common” during the age of the dinosaurs.

“It’s incredible to think these plants haven’t changed much throughout all these years,” said Kristen Siniard, who was there visiting the garden with her boyfriend. “It’s our first time to the Descanso Gardens. I never imagined it would be so pretty and interesting in here. I’m glad I came.”

Descanso Gardens’ new positively primeval Ancient Forest is located near the Lilac Garden at Descanso, in a section known to staff at the “Jurassic” garden because of its collection of plant species that evolved millions of years ago.

Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive in La Cañada Flintridge. It is open daily except for Christmas. Hours are 9 am to 5 pm (last entry is 4:30 pm). There is ample free parking. General admission is $9, seniors 65 and over and students are charged $6. Children (5 to 12 years) $4. Descanso members and children under 5 free.

For more visit www.descansogardens.org/