Nursery for all seasons Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden has some of the most fascinating collection of plant species anywhere. It sits on 1,000 hectares of scenic landscape on the foothills of Doi Suthep mountain in Mae Rim District of Chiang Mai. The garden is a hub for plant studies and research, as well as a place of recreation for local residents and visiting tourists. Nestled in vibrant green mountains, it has several nature trails that cut through natural habitats of plants and past waterfalls. On view are climbers, native plants and herbs, horticultural plants, lotus and countless species of orchids. Walking through the garden is like visiting an year-round flower exhibition. It showcases flowers and plants that are a favourite of HM the Queen to whom the garden is dedicated. The weather was not at its best the day we were there. The overcast condition was followed by drizzle so we settled for the Glass Complex comprising eight display houses where plants were grouped according to environmental conditions in which they grow and their utility. Conditions within each house were automatically monitored to control humidity, ventilation and light. The Tropical Rainforest House was the largest occupying a floor space of 1,000 square metres. As the name suggests, it holds a large variety of tropical plants native to Thailand and Southeast Asia, such as palm, banana and those of the ginger family. There is even a waterfall complimenting the tropical ambience. A few metres away is the Arid House that features desert-dwelling plants such as cacti and agaves from America, euphorbias and aloes from Africa, and also from Thailand. It also has cycads, the most primitive group of seed-bearing plants. The Orchids and Ferns House showcases 177 genera of the plants spread over 1,200 species of which 80 genera and 350 species found in Thailand are on show. These include Cattleya, Dendrobium, Paphiopendilum, Oncidium, Cymbidium, Ascocentrum, Rhynchostylis, Aerides, Arachnis, Phalaenopsis, Vanda and other families. The Aquatic House features over 100 species that grow on the edge of rivers, lakes, ponds, streams and marshes. Also on display are beautiful water lilies, ferns and water hyacinths. The visit was both educational and fun. The garden also boasts nature trails lined by flowers, herbal plants and trees indigenous to Thailand. There are four main trails. Guests can start with the Arboretum Trail and watch trees - pine, banana, palm and others - grouped according to their position in the botanical hiearchy. The Medicinal Plants Trail is lined with several native species that have healing properties and have been used to cure ailments long before modern-day drugs and medicine came on the scene. The Waterfall and Ornamental Beds Trail skirts the Mae Sa stream and Mae Sa Noi waterfall, leading visitors to ornamental flower beds and eventually to a collection of Thai orchids. Plants from other families also feature on this route. The last is Climber Trail - a collection of vines or climbers, plants with weak stem that scramble upwards by securing themselves to other plants or objects. Some 200 species of climbers are on show. The garden opens from 8:30am to 5pm. Entrance fee for adults is 20 baht and children 10 baht. For further information, call 53-841-000. |