University of Illinois Conservatory and Plant Collection

University of Illinois Conservatory and Plant Collection
University of Illinois Conservatory and Plant Collection
	Plant Sciences Laboratory conservatory
Location	University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, 1201 South Dorner Drive, Urbana, Illinois
Area	2,000-square-foot (190 m2)
Website	Official website

The University of Illinois Plant Biology Greenhouse and Conservatory is on the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign campus.^[1] It is a 2,000-square-foot (190 m²) conservatory and botanical garden located in the Plant Sciences Laboratory Greenhouses at 1201 South Dorner Drive, Urbana, Illinois. The conservatory is generally open to the public daily when the university is in session, though it may be closed for classes, research, or special events.

The conservatory houses over 200 species and 60 families of tropical and subtropical plants selected for their botanical interest or economic importance.^[1] Separate greenhouses contain ferns, bromeliads, cycads, orchids, carnivorous plants, herb and spice plants, and cacti, euphorbia, and other succulents. There is also an outdoor butterfly garden.

Plants of special interest include Brighamia insignis, Lebronnecia kokioides, and Sauromatum venosum.

Access

In 2005, The Daily Illini reported that the Plant Biology Conservatory had very few visitors due to lack of awareness that it was open to the public, calling it "a secret garden – the hidden green gem of the University of Illinois".^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b Yates, Diana (March 10, 2023). "Nurturing a tropical paradise in the heart of the Midwest". News Bureau. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
^ Parrino, Emily (January 19, 2005). "Secret garden provides escape from bitter cold". The Daily Illini. Retrieved April 15, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.