Central Michigan University’s greenhouse is the only place on campus and maybe even the world that an agave cactus, setcreasea, ponytail palm and papyrus plant can coexist.

The greenhouse’s six biomes, or climate controlled rooms, and conservatory act as a hands-on classroom for biology, ecology and geology students.

“What we attempt to do is look at the structure of plants in different environments,” Associate Biology Professor Joanne Dannenhoffer said.

The six biomes include rooms containing ferns, orchids, aquatics, and cactuses with two research rooms.

Dannenhoffer said students study how leaves of a cactus are different from leaves of plants indigenous to Michigan.

“We look at the structure, physiology and overall life form of the plant to see how they adapted to different environmental conditions,” Dannenhoffer said.

The greenhouse also includes the Mimosa pudica, or sensitive plant, which is indigenous to the rainforest. The plant’s leaves fold inward and droop when touched, and re-open within minutes.

“It’s collapsing as a herbivore lands on it to disturb it and make it fly away instead of chomping on a leaf,” Dannenhoffer said. “The response is very similar to the way nerve responses work in the human body.”

Interim Greenhouse Manager Joel Schwartz, 2008 alumni, said not only CMU classes visit the greenhouse but community groups and summer camps do as well.

“We mostly provide plant material for labs,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz waters and cares for the plants, plus he controls the climates for the biomes, ensuring no room gets too warm.

He said students use the greenhouse during the winter to warm up, study and even take naps.

With the construction of the botanical gardens underway, Schwartz said the greenhouse will not become obsolete.

“I don’t think there are any plans to change the greenhouse,” Schwartz said.

Dannenhoffer said even though the botanical garden and greenhouse serve the science departments, the garden can only be utilized during warm seasons.

“I think the greenhouse will still be used as it has been used,” she said.

The greenhouse is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday- Friday beginning in the fall.

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