Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich, Succulent plant collection at Mythenquai, Zurich, Switzerland
The Sukkulenten-Sammlung Zürich is a botanical garden specializing in succulent plants located along Lake Zurich at Mythenquai. The site contains several heated greenhouses and open growing areas with thousands of plant varieties.
In 1929 the department store owner Julius Brann bought Jakob Gasser's collection of about 1,500 succulents and gave it to the city of Zürich two years later. Hans Krainz was appointed curator in 1931, the year the collection was formally established at Mythenquai. His international contacts led to the founding of the International Organization for Succulent Plant Research (IOS) in 1950, which still has its seat there. The main complex was built in 1947 and opened in 1948, with extensions in 1948, 1954, 1961 and 1984.
The name comes from plants that store water in their leaves and stems to survive dry climates. Visitors can see how these species from arid regions around the world thrive in this setting.
The garden sits directly on Lake Zurich and is easily reached by public transport. Wear sturdy shoes since paths can be uneven, particularly in the outdoor areas between the greenhouses.
The site houses rare species from desert regions adapted to extreme dryness, many of which are endangered in their natural habitats. Some of these plants flower only at night or under very specific conditions, making them particularly interesting to observe.
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