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Study Botany in South Africa

Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
University of Pretoria South Africa





A botanic garden is a collection of living plants that is scientifically managed for the purposes of education, research, conservation and community service. The Manie van der Schijff Botanical Garden currently has about 3 000 plant species that cover approximately 3.5 hectares of the University's West campus.


Manie van der Schijff Botanical Garden

  Enter the Botanical Garden




The primary aim of the garden is to raise awareness of southern Africa's indigenous flora through the dissemination and acquisition of botanical knowledge. This includes the provision of plant material for education and research purposes, the collection and propagation of rare and endangered species, as well as research into indigenous plant species with horticultural potential. The dissemination of this knowledge to the broader community is also considered to be very important and the Garden Route was developed to help meet this need.

The first recorded botanical garden was created around the time of the Red Emperor, Shen Nung, who died in 2697 B.C. The plants in his garden were used for testing herbal medicine. Many of the plants in the Manie van der Schijff Botanical Garden also have medicinal value and are often collected and tested by members of the Botany Department. For more information on the medicinal uses of the plants in the garden please see the species list.
New images of the Manie van der Schijff Cycad Nursery have been added



About the Botanical Garden

The Garden had its beginnings as far back as 1924 when Pavetta species were planted on the campus for research purposes. The real impetus came in the 1930s with Barend Elbrecht, a man with a passion and enthusiasm for the southern African flora that live on in the many large trees and cycad specimens that were planted during his time at the University. In 1986 the Garden was named after Manie van der Schijff to honour the contributions that he made towards the development of the Garden. The Garden is run by the Garden Committee which is responsible for formulating and implementing policy.



Entrance to the Botany Building




Postal Address:
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
University of Pretoria
0002
Pretoria
South Africa

Fax: 362 5099
Botany: Prof Marion Meyer
marion@scientia.up.ac.za

Tel: 420 2224 or 420 3770

 


Postal Address:
0002
Pretoria
South Africa
Fax: 362 5099
Botany: Prof Marion Meyer
marion@scientia.up.ac.za

Tel: 420 2224 or 420 3770