Living collections of the Bogotá Botanical Garden José Celestino Mutis: 70 years of biodiversity and conservation

2025  47  15 adansonia Adansonia est une revue en flux continu publiée par les Publications scientifiques du Muséum, Paris Adansonia is a fast track journal published by the Museum Science Press, Paris Les Publications scientifiques du Muséum publient aussi / The Museum Science Press also publish: Geodiversitas, Zoosystema, Anthropozoologica, European Journal of Taxonomy, Naturae, Cryptogamie sous-sections Algologie, Bryologie, Mycologie, Comptes Rendus Palevol Diffusion – Publications scientifiques Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle CP 41 – 57 rue Cuvier F-75231 Paris cedex 05 (France) Tél. : 33 (0)1 40 79 48 05 / Fax : 33 (0)1 40 79 38 40 [email protected] / http://sciencepress.mnhn.fr © Publications scientifiques du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, 2025 ISSN (imprimé / print) : 1280-8571/ ISSN (électronique / electronic) : 1639-4798 Directeur De la publication / Publication director: Gilles Bloch Président du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle réDacteur en chef / editor-in-chief : Thierry Deroin réDacteurs / editors : Porter P. Lowry II ; Zachary S. Rogers ; Mathieu Gardère assistant De réDaction / assistant editor : Emmanuel Côtez ([email protected]) Mise en page / Page layout : Emmanuel Côtez coMité scientifique / scientific board : F. Blasco (CNRS, Toulouse) M. W. Callmander (Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève) J. A. Doyle (University of California, Davis) P. K. Endress (Institute of Systematic Botany, Zürich) P. Feldmann (Cirad, Montpellier) L. Gautier (Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de Genève) F. Ghahremaninejad (Kharazmi University, Téhéran) K. Iwatsuki (Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo) A. A. Khapugin (Tyumen State University, Russia) J.-Y. Lesouef (Conservatoire botanique de Brest) P. Morat (Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris) J. Munzinger (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Montpellier) S. E. Rakotoarisoa (Millenium Seed Bank, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Madagascar Conservation Centre, Antananarivo) P. H. Raven (Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis) G. Tohmé (Conseil national de la Recherche scientifique Liban, Beyrouth) J. G. West (Australian National Herbarium, Canberra) J. R. Wood (Oxford) couverture / cover : Réalisée à partir des Figures de l’article/Made from the Figures of the article. Adansonia est indexé dans / Adansonia is indexed in: – Science Citation Index Expanded (SciSearch®) – ISI Alerting Services® – Current Contents® / Agriculture, Biology, and Environmental Sciences® – Scopus® Adansonia est distribué en version électronique par / Adansonia is distributed electronically by: – BioOne® (http://www.bioone.org) 285 ADANSONIA, sér. 3 • 2025 • 47 (15) © Publications scientifiques du Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris. www.adansonia.com KEY WORDS Andean ecosystems, endemic species, ex-situ conservation, germplasm, propagation. Espinosa Moreno F., Vargas-Rojas D. L., Martínez-Peña M. L., Alvarado-Sanabria O. H., Morales-Rozo C. & Aragón Rodríguez S. M. 2025. — Living collections of the Bogotá Botanical Garden José Celestino Mutis: 70 years of biodiversity and conservation. Adansonia, sér. 3, 47 (15): 285-298. https://doi.org/10.5252/adansonia2025v47a15. http://adansonia.com/47/15 ABSTRACT The Bogotá Botanical Garden, founded in 1955 and named after José Celestino Mutis, has played a central role in the conservation of Andean and páramo flora. Covering 19.5 hectares, the garden houses 34 living collections classified into systematic, ecosystemic, thematic, and taxonomic groups. These collections support scientific research, education, and biodiversity conservation, showcasing species from various ecosystems such as páramos, subxerophytic zones, cloud forests, Andean forests and wetlands. They also emphasize the conservation of species like in the Magnoliaceae, Lamiaceae, and Orchidaceae, highlighting endangered and endemic plants. Research efforts include the ex-situ propagation of endangered species such as Senecio carbonellii S. Díaz and Puya spp., as well as ecological studies on their native habitats. Spaces like the Arboretum, the medicinal plants garden, and the agroecological garden demonstrate sustainable and educational practices. The garden plans to enhance its collections by prioritizing threatened species and developing new exhibits, such as Rubiaceae. The garden mission aligns with national and international conservation strategies, reinforcing its role as a center for research, education, and cultural heritage. With 70 years of achievements, the Bogotá Botanical Garden remains a significant example for biodiversity conservation in Colombia. Felipe ESPINOSA MORENO Diana Lucía VARGAS-ROJAS Myriam Liliana MARTÍNEZ-PEÑA Oscar Humberto ALVARADO-SANABRIA Clara MORALES-ROZO Sandra Milena ARAGÓN RODRÍGUEZ Jardín Botánico de Bogotá José Celestino Mutis, Calle 63 # 68-95, CP: 111071, Bogotá (Colombia) [email protected] (corresponding author) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Submitted on 26 December 2024 | accepted on 14 March 2025 | published on 13 October 2025 Living collections of the Bogotá Botanical Garden José Celestino Mutis: 70 years of biodiversity and conservation 286 ADANSONIA, sér. 3 • 2025 • 47 (15) Espinosa Moreno F. et al. INTRODUCTION Founded in 1955, the José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden of Bogotá (JBB for its Spanish acronym) has become a reference point for the conservation of high Andean and páramo flora (Morales-Rozo& Hurtado-M 2018). Since its foundation, the JBB has transformed into a space where science, nature, and the community intersect. The year 2025, marks its 70th anniversary, inviting us to reflect on its journey and contributions to the conservation of Bogotá’s biodiversity and its surrounding ecosystems. The JBB is named in honor of José Celestino Mutis (1732-1808), an astronomer and botanist who dedicated his life to the study of natural sciences in the territory of Nueva Granada. In 1783, Mutis founded Colombia’s first botanical garden, which aimed to acclimatize and propagate economically important plants, such as coffee and cinchona (Ruiz 1977). In 1932, Enrique Pérez Arbeláez revived this botanical tradition by establishing the National Herbarium and the Institute of Natural Sciences, as well as cofounding the Academy of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences (Mutis-Duran 2000). Due to his significant efforts, the JBB was established on 6 August 1955, receiving support from Mayor Roberto Salazar Gómez and the Administrative Council of Bogotá (Díaz-Piedrahita 1998). Botanical gardens not only maintain documented collections of living plants for research, conservation, exhibition, and education purposes (Smith& Harvey-Brown, 2017) but also positively impact society by collaborating with a MOTS CLÉS Banques de germoplasme, conservation ex-situ, écosystèmes des Andes, espèces endémiques, propagation. RÉSUMÉ Les collections vivantes du Jardin Botanique de Bogota José Celestino Mutis : 70 ans consacrés à la biodiversité et à sa conservation. Le Jardin botanique de Bogotá, fondé en 1955 et nommé en l’honneur de José Celestino Mutis, a joué un rôle central dans la conservation de la flore andine et des páramos. Couvrant 19,5 hectares, le jardin abrite 34 collections vivantes classées en groupes systématiques, écosystémiques, thématiques et taxonomiques. Ces collections soutiennent la recherche scientifique, l’éducation et la conservation de la biodiversité, en mettant en valeur des espèces issues d’écosystèmes variés, comme les páramos, les zones subxérophiles, les forêts de nuages, les forêts andines et les zones humides. Elles soulignent également la conservation d’espèces comme dans les Magnoliaceae, les Lamiaceae et les Orchidaceae, en mettant l’accent sur les plantes menacées et endémiques. Les recherches incluent la propagation ex-situ d’espèces en danger, telles que Senecio carbonellii S. Díaz et Puya spp., et des études écologiques sur leurs habitats natifs. Des espaces comme l’Arboretum, le jardin des plantes médicinales et le jardin agroécologique démontrent des pratiques durables et éducatives. Le jardin projette d’enrichir ses collections en priorisant les espèces menacées et en développant de nouvelles expositions, telles que les Rubiaceae. La mission du Jardin s’aligne sur des stratégies de conservation nationales et internationales, renforçant son rôle comme centre de recherche, d’éducation et de patrimoine culturel. Avec 70 ans de réalisations, le Jardin botanique de Bogotá demeure un exemple significatif pour la biodiversité en Colombie. variety of environmental and social stakeholders (Samper Alvarado 2015). In the case of the JBB, its commitment to protecting local flora aligns with the objectives of the National Plant Conservation Strategy (García etal. 2010), and the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC 2012) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD 2022), demonstrating its relevance at both local and global levels. In addition, the garden is certified by the Ministry of Science and Technology.as a research center (Minciencias 2022). The JBB is located in the capital of Colombia at an altitude of 2555meters above sea level and covering an area of 19.5ha. It features 34 living collections, including the Tropical Glasshouse, scientifically classified into five themes: 1) systematic; 2)ecosystemic; 3) taxonomic; 4) ornamental and exotic; and 5)thematic collection categories (Fig. 1) (Cadena-Vargas etal. 2019). These collections aim to support scientific research and the preservation of native species while serving as an educational resource to protect and showcase some of the most vulnerable ecosystems, the floristic richness and diversity of Bogotá region (Zuluaga-Carrero etal. 2020). Additionally, research has been conducted within these collections on the fauna associated with the city’s vegetation (Echeverry 2005; Cueva 2018; Rodríguez etal. 2021; Salazar-Fillippo etal. 2024). In this context, this paper aims to document the 31 current living collections at the JBB, excluding those in the Tropical Glasshouse, which were detailed in a previous publication (Morales-Rozo etal. 2022). It highlights their scientific, ecological, and cultural importance. 287 Living collections: 70 years of conservation in the Bogotá Botanical Garden ADANSONIA, sér. 3 • 2025 • 47 (15) B B AD H C O N Y X W V L N V AC Tropical Glasshouse AE AB U K K TK AP P P Z Q R E G G G S F F J 1) Systematic collections: 3) Thematic collections: 5) Ornamental and exotic collections 4) Taxonomic collections: 2) Ecosystemic collections: A, Cryptogam collection I, Cloud forest Q, Lamiaceae collection R, Propagation greenhouse for cold-climate bromeliads and orchids S, Propagation greenhouse for warm-climate bromeliads and orchids T, Palm collection U, Melastomataceae collection V, Andean forest with emphasis on quinas Y, Andean forest with emphasis on gaque Z, Colombian pine collection AA, Exotic aquatics AB, Landscaping area/ exotic ornamentals AC, Rose garden AD, Exotic tree collection AE, Pergola of passionflowers and climbers W, Andean forest with emphasis on oaks X, Andean forest with emphasis on Lauraceae K, Introductory garden L, Arboretum M, Health herb garden N, Agroecological garden O, Cold-climate fruit trees P, Andean forest with emphasis on magnolias J, Sub-Andean forest D, Wetland garden E, Sub-Andean forest “Mora-Osejo” F, Páramo G, High Andean forest H, Subxerophytic environment B, Gymnosperm systematic collection C, Angiosperm systematic collection I D AA M fig. 1. — Map illustrating the current zoning of the living collections at the Bogotá Botanical Garden. This layout highlights the spatial distribution and organization of the collections, reflecting their ecological, thematic, and taxonomic groupings across the garden’s grounds. On the left, an inset map of Colombia shows a zoomed-in view of Bogotá, with a white star marking the location of the botanical garden. Images of Colombia and Bogota from Airbus, Maxar Technologies, CNES/Airbus, 2024. Map data from Google. Scale bars: Botanical Garden Map, 100 m; Bogotá map, 10 km; Colombia map, 300 km. 288 ADANSONIA, sér. 3 • 2025 • 47 (15) Espinosa Moreno F. et al. THE JBB COLLECTIONS The living collections at the José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden of Bogotá (JBB) hold significant heritage value for both the capital and the country. They play an essential role in the ex-situ conservation of plant species, supporting the goals of preservation, research, and education. These collections not only provide germplasm to tackle the environmental challenges faced by the city and the nation, offering knowledge and benefits to both the scientific community and the public. The JBB houses a collection of nearly 190 plant families, 730 genera, and 1500 species that represent high Andean and páramo ecosystems grouped into five thematic groups described below. SyStematic collectionS They are comprised of carefully curated groups of species organized according to a taxonomic classification system that highlights their evolutionary relationships. Currently, the JBB houses three systematically organized collections that showcase the intricate process of evolution. These collections are regularly updated to incorporate the latest taxonomic revisions and discoveries ensuring that they reflect the most current understanding of biological diversity. Below is a detailed description of each collection and significance of the species they contain. Cryptogam systematic collection This collection showcases various botanical groups including bryophytes, lichens, lycophytes, and ferns. Currently, it is primarily represented by ferns and is organized according to the classification system established by the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group (PPG I 2016). Covering an area of 5281m² (Figs 1A; 2A), the collection’s humid and shaded environment facilitates the observation of diverse growth forms. These include tree ferns such as (Dicksonia karsteniana (Klotzsch) T.Moore, Cyathea spp.), aquatic ferns like Marsilea ancylopoda A.Braun, Salvinia auriculata Aubl., epiphytic ferns including Serpocaulon sessilifolium (Desv.) A.R.Sm. and Pleopeltis macrocarpa (Willd.) Kaulf., as well as terrestrial ferns such as Adiantum raddianum C. Presl and Asplenium myriophyllum (Sw.) C.Presl. This collection has also served as a valuable resource for various research projects focused on the conservation of tree ferns (Fig. 3A; Alfonso-Moreno etal. 2011) and their traditional uses (Vargas 2024). Gymnosperm systematic collection It comprises a diverse group of plants that reproduce through naked seeds, which are not enclosed within a fruit. This collection encompasses approximately 6000m² (Fig. 1B) and features specimens from various global regions, such as the araucarias from Brazil (Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Steud.), the bunya-bunya from Australia (Araucaria bidwillii Hook.) and Ginkgo biloba L. from China. Additionally it includes representatives from notable families such as Cupressaceae, Cycadaceae, Pinaceae, and Podocarpaceae. Angiosperm systematic collection This collection is designed to represent the taxonomic classification of angiosperms which constitute the most diverse group of plants, encompassing all flowering plants. The collection spans an area of 8536m² and is organized according to the APG IV (2016) classification system (Fig. 1C). It reflects not only taxonomic classification through certain plant groups but also encompasses a wide range of life forms such as trees, shrubs, aquatic plants, and epiphytic plants. Key families represented in this collection include Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Myrtaceae, and Lauraceae. Beyond its taxonomic significance, this collection has served as the setting for research, such as the study conducted by Orejuela& Celis (2019), which describes the genera of angiosperms and gymnosperms present in the JBB. ecoSyStemic collectionS The ecosystemic collections are designed to highlight the flora of specific Colombian ecosystems. These collections showcase species that are characteristic of the ecosystems they represent, considering how these plants adapt to urban environments and their significance in the landscape of the ecosystem. Currently, the following collections can be found at the JBB. Wetland garden The Wetland Garden collection covers an area of 1255m² and forms part of the flora of the JBB’s Main Lake (Figs 1D; 2E). Its primary objective is to strengthen the conservation of aquatic flora from Bogotá’s wetlands through an ex-situ conservation strategy, which includes research on the propagation (Fig. 3B), monitoring, and establishment of plants within the living collections, while also promoting the creation of habitats for birds (Martínez Peña& Jaimes Sánchez 2015; Camelo-Mendoza etal. 2016). Additionally, it aims to raise awareness and provide environmental education about wetland ecosystems. The collection includes native emergent species, meaning plants found along wetland edges, such as Bidens laevis (L.) Britton, Sterns& Poggenb., Typha latifolia (L.), Schoenoplectus californicus (C.A.Mey.) Soják, and Ludwigia peruviana (L.) H.Hara. It also features species with reduced populations in wetlands within the city, including Marsilea ancylopoda A.Braun, Begonia fischeri Irmsch., Juncus microcephalus Kunth, and Gratiola bogotensis Cortés ex Pennell (Rodríguez 2000; Martínez Peña& Jaimes Sánchez 2015). Research has also been conducted on the propagation of the endemic and threatened species Senecio carbonellii S.Díaz (Martínez-Peña etal. 2024). Sub-Andean forest “Mora Osejo” This collection covers an area of 3553m² (Fig. 1E) and is named in honour of the Colombian botanist Luis Eduardo Mora Osejo, who made significant contributions to the study of the morphology and physiology of Colombian flora (Piedrahita 2005; Mora-Osejo 1984; Mora-Osejo 1987; Mora-Osejo& Sturm 1995; Mora-Osejo 2001). The collection aims to represent the flora of the country’s sub-Andean forests, located in the Andes mountain range 289 Living collections: 70 years of conservation in the Bogotá Botanical Garden ADANSONIA, sér. 3 • 2025 • 47 (15) at altitudes between 1000 and 2400m (Cuatrecasas 1989). It includes representative species such as Clethra fagifolia Kunth, Quercus humboldtii Bonpl., and Viburnum tinoides Kunth (Reina etal. 2010). Páramo The páramo is a high-mountain ecosystem where approximately 90% of its flora is endemic (Rivera& Rodríguez 2011). It is located at altitudes between 3000 and 5000m, spanning from high Andean forests to the lower edge of perpetual snow (Rivera& Rodríguez 2011). The collection representing this ecosystem covers an area of 3193m² and aims to showcase the flora of the paramo (Fig. 1F), characterised by low temperatures ranging from 2 to 10 °C, high relative humidity of 80% to 98%, and organic-rich soils with high water and nutrient retention capacity (Llambí etal. 2012). The vegetation in this collection includes herbaceous species, low trees, and shrubs, featuring formations such as tussock grasslands, rosettes, and shrublands (Molinillo& Monasterio 2002). The collection includes endemic páramo species such as Puya bicolor Mez, Puya loca Madriñán, and Polylepis quadrijuga Bitter, along with representative species like Hypericum juniperinum Kunth and Lachemilla orbiculata (Ruiz& Pav.) Rydb. Conservation efforts have prioritized Puya species, which have successfully flowered and produced seeds under ex-situ conditions (BGCI 2023). Additionally, studies have been conducted in the collection’s lake to evaluate the establishment of vegetation on floating islands (Martínez Peña& López-Candela 2018). High Andean forest The High Andean Forest collection covers an area of approximately 5218m² and, within the garden, corresponds to the strip surrounding the Páramo collection (Fig. 1G). This collection aims to represent the ecosystems found in the Colombian Andes and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, within the altitudinal range of 2800 to 3250meters above sea level, in areas with temperatures between 8 and 14 °C (Avella-M etal. 2014). The collection includes representative species such as Drimys granadensis L.f., Hesperomeles ferruginea (Juss. ex Pers.) Benth., Macleania rupestris (Kunth) A.C.Sm., Myrsine dependens (Ruiz& Pav.) Spreng., Oreopanax bogotensis Cuatrec., and Weinmannia pubescens Ruiz& Pav. Subxerophytic environment This collection covers an area of 5990m² and represents subxerophytic zones of the Bogotá Savannah (Fig. 1H), located between 2550 and 2900meters above sea level, such as the areas surrounding the La Herrera Lagoon in the southwest of the city and Suesca in the north. These ecosystems exhibit a high evapotranspiration rate that surpasses the precipitation, creating dry conditions throughout the year. The vegetation is adapted to arid conditions through morphological modifications such as spines, small leaves, and succulent stems. At the JBB, the collection includes characteristic species such as Lantana camara L., Masdevallia coriacea Lindl., Salvia bogotensis Benth., Stelis pulchella Kunth, Salvia sphacelioides Benth., and Dalea coerulea (L.f.) Schinz& Thell. Due to the reduction in the natural area of these environments and the pressures they face, this collection is of great importance for the conservation of endemic species and those adapted to subxerophytic conditions, contributing to the preservation of endangered biodiversity. Cloud forest Covering an area of 2390m² (Fig. 1I), the collection representing the cloud forest, or montane rainforest, includes species such as Quercus humboldtii, Magnolia hernandezii (Lozano) Govaerts, Ceroxylon quindiuense (H.Karst.) H.Wendl., and Anthurium bogotense Schott. This collection focuses on the ex-situ conservation of species with some degree of threat or endemism, promoting their establishment, adaptation, and research. This ecosystem is characterised by high relative humidity, typically exceeding 90%, and constant cloud presence (Bruijnzeel& Hamilton 2001). In Colombia, cloud forests are distributed between 1500 and 3800meters above sea level across the Andes, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and certain mountain ranges (Armenteras etal. 2007). The plants in this ecosystem play a crucial role in water capture, making them an important water source for nearby areas. Additionally, many plants in this ecosystem exhibit a high degree of endemism, particularly epiphytic plants (Armenteras etal. 2007). At the JBB, research has been conducted on the flora associated with seed germination in Bomarea species (Acosta etal. 2004), which are present in this collection. Sub-Andean forest The collection representing the sub-Andean forest at the Bogotá Botanical Garden covers an area of 8891m² (Fig. 1J). This ecosystem, found at altitudes between 1000 and 2500meters above sea level, is characterized by an average temperature of 16°C to 23°C and annual rainfall ranging from 1000 to 4000mm. At the JBB, the collection includes more than 1000 individuals from 200 species, including Cedrela montana Moritz ex Turcz., Quercus humboldtii, Billbergia nutans H.Wendl., Dendropanax arboreus (L.) Decne& Planch., and Ceroxylon vogelianum (Engel) H.Wendl. Due to anthropogenic pressure, these forests are undergoing constant transformation and are considered one of the most threatened ecosystems in Colombia (Rudas etal. 2007). The conservation of this collection is a priority to protect its biodiversity and to study and preserve the endemic and threatened species of these ecosystems. thematic collectionS Thematic collections are groups of plants that do not represent a specific ecosystemic or taxonomic interest. The collections include the following. Introductory garden The Introductory Garden collection spans an area of 9243m² and aims to welcome and introduce visitors to the botanical garden (Fig. 1K). It features various growth habits of vegetation representing the organisation’s mission-related ecosystems. Visitors can observe tree species such as guayacán (Lafoensia 290 ADANSONIA, sér. 3 • 2025 • 47 (15) Espinosa Moreno F. et al. acuminata (Ruiz& Pav.) DC.), magnolias (Magnolia hernandezii (Lozano) Govaerts, M. caricifragrans (Lozano) Govaerts), and palms (Ceroxylon spp.), shrubs such as boxwood (Buxus sempervirens L.), ornamental herbs like clivia (Clivia miniata (Lindl.) Verschaff.), climbers, and epiphytic orchids such as Maxillaria rodriguesii Cogn., Epidendrum sp., and Cyrtochylum sp. Arboretum The arboretum at the JBB spans an area of 1.81 hectares and contains various native tree species from Andean forests (Fig. 1L). These species originate from ecosystems located between 1000 and 4000meters above sea level, with average temperatures of 16°C to 23°C and annual rainfall ranging from 1000 to 4000mm. The arboretum serves not only to promote the ex-situ conservation of these species through the maintenance of various adult specimens but also contributes to visitor enjoyment and botanical education through practical activities with students of all levels. Representative species in this collection include Quercus humboldtii, Juglans neotropica Diels, Cedrela montana, Ceroxylon quindiuense (H.Karst.) H.Wendl., and Styloceras laurifolium (Willd.) Kunth. Health herb garden Covering an area of 823m², the Health Herb Garden features a variety of medicinal plants that serve as a resource for the development and synthesis of various medicinal compounds (Fig. 1M). Notable plants in this collection include mastranto (Salvia palifolia Kunth), pennyroyal (Clinopodium brownei (Sw.) Kuntze), peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), rue (Ruta graveolens L.), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.), marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), and rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus Spenn.). This collection, arranged in a circular design around a glass dome, is both a visual attraction and an educational space for visitors. Agroecological garden The Agroecological Garden is a pedagogical and demonstrative collection spanning 3140m² (Figs 1N;2B). It prioritizes species with potential uses in urban agriculture and strengthens educational activities conducted with communities in urban gardens within the city. The collection aims to research and implement technologies adapted for agroecology, as well as to recover and conserve rustic agro-food seed varieties. It includes a vegetable garden where edible, aromatic, medicinal, and culinary plants are grown, a vermiculture area, and a seed center with an agroecological focus. Native plants in this garden include Bogotá tea (Symplocos theiformis (L.f.) Oken), Andean cereals such as amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus L.) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.), and commercially important vegetables such as lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.). Cold-climate fruit trees This collection covers an area of 2278m² and showcases coldclimate fruit trees, including both native and cultivated species (Fig. 1O). Native species in the collection include the tree tomato (Solanum betaceum Cav.), cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.), mountain papaya (Vasconcellea pubescens A.DC.), and arrayán (Myrcianthes leucoxyla (Ortega) McVaugh). Cultivated exotic species include peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch), apple (Malus domestica (Suckow) Borkh.), feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana (O.Berg) O.Berg.), fig (Ficus carica L.), and plum (Prunus domestica L.). taxonomic collectionS The taxonomic collections highlight the rich diversity of prioritized taxonomic groups found in Colombia, in alignment with the mission of JBB. These collections encompass the following. Andean forest with emphasis on magnolias This collection spans an area of 2801m² and is composed of species from the family Magnoliaceae, primarily from the genus Magnolia (Fig. 1P). This family was prioritized because, with its 42 species, Colombia is the Neotropical country with the greatest diversity of magnolias (SernaGonzaléz etal. 2024). The collection aims to conserve threatened high-Andean flora and highlight the importance of magnolias as a priority group for conservation. This collection is part of the JBB’s Specialized Collections for Conservation (CEPAC). Lamiaceae collection The Lamiaceae collection was originally established as a duplicate of the collection from the Institute of Natural Sciences at the National University for research on essential oils. Currently, the collection covers an area of 462m² and showcases some species of the family Lamiaceae (Fig. 1Q), known for its wide distribution and production of essential oils (Haas etal. 2024). The collection includes approximately 29 species from the genera Salvia, Mentha, Ocimum, and Rosmarinus. This collection is part of the JBB’s Specialized Collections for Conservation (CEPAC) (Santos etal. 2009). Propagation greenhouse for cold-climate bromeliads and orchids This collection is housed within a 419.24m² greenhouse that provides ideal conditions of humidity (ranging from 28% to 98.4%) and temperature (from 12.4°C to 32.7°C) for the propagation and conservation of cold-climate bromeliads and orchids (Figs 1R, 3D). The greenhouse includes four botanical families: Araceae, Bromeliaceae, Cactaceae, and Orchidaceae, with a total of 85 genera, 213 species, and approximately 646 individuals, with Bromeliaceae being the most representative family. Many of the species in this collection are endangered, such as Dracula gorgonella Luer& R.Escobar, Masdevallia caudata Lindl., Masdevallia ignea Rchb.f., and Dracula severa (Rchb.f.) Luer. Research on the Masdevallia ignea plants in the collection resolved fundamental aspects of their reproduction (ChavarroRodríguez etal. 2005). The collection also includes some exotic species of high ornamental value. 291 Living collections: 70 years of conservation in the Bogotá Botanical Garden ADANSONIA, sér. 3 • 2025 • 47 (15) A E B CD fig. 2. — Five of the most iconic living collections at the Bogotá Botanical Garden: A, cryptogam systematic collection; B, agroecological garden; C, palm collection; D, rose garden; E, wetland garden. 298 ADANSONIA, sér. 3 • 2025 • 47 (15) Espinosa Moreno F. et al. appenDix 1. — Potential list of species for enrichment of the Living Collections. Family Especie IUCN Category Status in Colombia Araceae Philodendron leyvae García-Barr. Vulnerable Endemic Asteraceae Achyrocline mollis Benth. Critically Endangered Native Asteraceae Ageratina latipes (Benth.) R.M.King & H.Rob. Near Threatened Endemic Asteraceae Espeletia barclayana Cuatrec. Near Threatened Endemic Asteraceae Espeletia cabrerensis Cuatrec. Vulnerable Endemic Asteraceae Espeletia cayetana (Cuatrec.) Cuatrec. Endangered Endemic Asteraceae Espeletia chocontana Cuatrec. Endangered Endemic Asteraceae Espeletia miradorensis (Cuatrec.) Cuatrec. Critically Endangered Endemic Asteraceae Espeletia summapacis Cuatrec. Endangered Endemic Asteraceae Gynoxys hirsuta Wedd. Vulnerable Endemic Asteraceae Gynoxys hirsutissima Cuatrec. Critically Endangered Endemic Begoniaceae Begonia tropaeolifolia A.DC. Endangered Native Berberidaceae Berberis carupensis L.A.Camargo Critically Endangered Endemic Berberidaceae Berberis sumapazana L.A.Camargo Endangered Endemic Berberidaceae Berberis tabiensis L.A.Camargo Vulnerable Endemic Berberidaceae Berberis uribei L.A.Camargo Critically Endangered Endemic Bignoniaceae Handroanthus chrysanthus (Jacq.) S.O.Grose Vulnerable Native | cultivated Bromeliaceae Pitcairnia petraea L.B.Sm. Endangered Endemic Bromeliaceae Tillandsia breviturneri Betancur & Néstor García Endangered Endemic Bromeliaceae Tillandsia chartacea L.B.Sm. Critically Endangered Endemic Bromeliaceae Tillandsia fusiformis L.B.Sm. Endangered Native Brunelliaceae Brunellia racemifera Tul. Endangered Endemic Caprifoliaceae Valeriana secunda B.Eriksen Endangered Native Clethraceae Clethra rugosa Steyerm. Vulnerable Native Clusiaceae Clusia cundinamarcensis Cuatrec. Vulnerable Endemic Cunoniaceae Weinmannia karsteniana Szyszyl. Near Threatened Native Dryopteridaceae Elaphoglossum sodiroi (Baker) Christ Critically Endangered Native Ericaceae Gaultheria santanderensis A.C.Sm. Near Threatened Endemic Ericaceae Plutarchia guascensis (Cuatrec.) A.C.Sm. Vulnerable Endemic Fabaceae Lupinus colombiensis C.P.Sm. Vulnerable Endemic Lamiaceae Salvia cocuyana Fern.Alonso Endangered Endemic Melastomataceae Meriania mutabilis (Gleason) Humberto Mend. & Fern.Alonso Vulnerable Endemic Melastomataceae Meriania mutisii (Bonpl.) Humberto Mend. & Fern.Alonso Near Threatened Endemic Melastomataceae Miconia annulata (Naudin) Triana Vulnerable Endemic Melastomataceae Miconia miocarpa Naudin Endangered Endemic Melastomataceae Miconia parvifolia Cogn. Vulnerable Endemic Melastomataceae Miconia reclinata (Bonpl.) Naudin Vulnerable Endemic Orchidaceae Masdevallia racemosa Lindl. Vulnerable Endemic Plantaginaceae Aragoa corrugatifolia Fern.Alonso Vulnerable Endemic Plantaginaceae Aragoa cupressina H.B. & K. Endangered Endemic Plantaginaceae Aragoa perez-arbelaeziana Romero Endangered Endemic Primulaceae Ardisia sapida Cuatrec. Near Threatened Endemic Sapindaceae Allophylus goudotii (Triana & Planch.) Radlk. Near Threatened Endemic Viburnaceae Viburnum subsessile Killip & A.C.Sm. Endangered Endemic Viburnaceae Viburnum suratense Killip & A.C.Sm. Endangered Endemic