Lilongwe Botanic Garden
Lilongwe Botanic Garden is the second largest of the three gardens with a total area of 130.68 hectares. It is situated in the heart of Lilongwe City in the central region of Malawi. The garden experiences a warm climate, receiving an annual rainfall of 2,000 mm, and is dominated by Combretum and Acacia. The garden was initially planted with Gmelina arborea trees in the 1970s, which are being uprooted in stages to encourage the growth of indigenous trees and shrubs and allow introduction of other species. Over 200 species grow naturally in the garden; some 100 species have been introduced.
Aloe
Collection
This is a collection representing indigenous aloes of Malawi collected from
drier parts of the central region of the country, including Aloe cameronii and Aloe chabaudii. Regular field trips are undertaken to increase the
aloe collection.
Bulb
Collection
Bulbous plants from the central region are collected and cultivated in the
garden. Only four species are under cultivation: Albuca sp., Tacca sp., Anthericum sp., and Boophane
disticha (see photo). These species produce colourful flowers in winter
and summer.
Economic
Plant Collection
The Lilongwe Garden includes a large area of orchard crops. Over 20 species
are under cultivation here. Visitors also come to the orchard to see and learn
more about the different species and varieties of fruit crops. Both
tropical and temperate fruit species are on display, including mangoes,
peaches, avocados, guavas, macadamias, apples, papaws, and granadillas. There
is also a 0.5-ha vegetable garden where cabbage, mustard, tomatoes, onions,
eggplants, and green maize are cultivated. The produce is sold to generate
income for the botanic garden.
Herbaceous
Collection
Herbaceous plants include annuals, perennials, and ornamental plants that
are cultivated for their colourful flowers. This collection is for both commercial
purposes and display and includes herbaceous perennials, such as Salvia
splendens, Chrysanthemum,
Lobelia, Bulbine caulescens,
and Tulbaghia violacea.
Tree
and Shrub Collection
This collection represents the indigenous trees of the drier Combretum-Acacia
woodlands of the central region. The collection serves as material for
display, research, and education. In addition, one hundred tree species have
been introduced to Lilongwe, including representatives of the Combretaceae,
Caesalpiniaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Ebenaceae, Mimosaceae, Papilionaceae, and
Rhamnaceae.
Other
Collections
The Lilongwe Garden nursery contains indigenous and exotic tree seedlings,
ornamentals, and medicinal plants, which are sold or given free to communities.
Ornamental plant species are sold for landscaping and decoration purposes.
—by Lloyd Nkoloma
SABONET News 6.1: 24
go back to National Botanic Gardens of Malawi
