Jardín de Aclimatación de la Orotava, Botanical garden in Puerto de la Cruz, Spain.
The Jardín de Aclimatación de la Orotava is a botanical garden in Puerto de la Cruz that displays palm trees, succulents, and tropical plants arranged along winding paths and around water features. The grounds are divided into distinct sections, each showcasing different plant families and growing conditions.
The garden was established in 1788 by order of King Charles III to collect exotic plants from Spanish colonial territories and acclimatize them for Madrid's royal gardens. This original mission shaped the site's development and established it as a center for botanical adaptation and plant research.
The garden serves as a living laboratory where people can see how tropical species have been adapted to thrive in a Mediterranean climate over centuries. Visitors experience a connection to nature and botanical knowledge that has been passed down through generations of plant care.
The garden is best visited during warmer months when plants are in active growth and pathways are most accessible. Comfortable walking shoes and water are recommended, as the terrain is somewhat uneven and shade is limited in many areas.
One of the most remarkable specimens here is an ancient fig tree with unusual aerial roots that descend from its branches to the ground like additional trunks. This rare growth pattern demonstrates a botanical adaptation that few visitors consciously notice during their walk.
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