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To Fort Worth schoolchildren, he is “Barney the Botanist.” To garden clubs and horticulturists, he’s a fascinating speaker. To law enforcement, he’s a critical resource for the forensic interpretation of botanical evidence. To scientists, he’s a respected authority on the plants of Texas and a dedicated editor of both books and journals. Any…
It’s time for one of the most dramatic landscape management tasks at the Garden: setting the BRIT Prairie on fire! A prescribed or controlled burn will soon be scheduled, with the exact date depending on weather conditions. The burn will be carefully monitored by the Fort Worth Fire Department to ensure the safety of…
Discovery of a New Species of Fossil Tree Helps Paint Picture of Ancient African Forest The 21.73 million year old Astropanax eogetem was part of a lush tropical paradise surrounding a volcanic crater lake. Recent research by scientists at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT), Texas Tech University, and several other collaborating institutions…
Study finds Fort Worth Botanic Garden hosts greatest variety of bats in Tarrant and Parker Counties Acoustic surveying by Texas Master Naturalists used sound to identify five species of bats in the Garden. During the day, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden hums with activity from guests, gardeners, bees, butterflies, and birds. But at night…
The addition of the recently collected Texas sandmint (Rhododon ciliatus) specimen marks a milestone and calls attention to the importance of herbaria in conservation efforts. The Botanic Research Institute of Texas (BRIT), the research arm of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, recently celebrated the addition of the 1.5 millionth plant specimen to the institution’s herbarium….
The XX International Botanical Congress was held Madrid, Spain from July 21 – 27, 2024. BRIT staff presented the following posters either physically or virtually: Download Download Download Download Download Herbarium Staff, Tiana Rehman and Ashley Bales, gave a recap on XX IBC for the Armchair Botanist Forum. The recording…
A xylarium, xylotheque, and xylothek are all words to describe a collection of wood (the Greek word for “wood” is xylon). In trees, the secondary xylem, the tissue that transports water from the roots to the stems and leaves, and secondary phloem, the food transporter tissue, create tissue patterns unique to each species. Looking back in time, humans have had an intimate relationship with…
Imagine standing quietly at a lookout in the hill country of central Texas as the sun begins to set. Oak and Juniper trees blanket the hills as far as the eye can see. Muted sounds of nature bring a soothing respite to an otherwise busy day. Your peacefulness is suddenly disturbed by loud noises. Slowly,…
Don’t ever believe you’ve got nature figured out. Case in point: Myxomycetes or plasmodial slime molds. Here are six fascinating facts from a recent article by BRIT Research Associate Harold Keller that will make you question what you think you know about life on this planet.
Every year, the research team adopts a few special plants as a focus for study and conservation, especially for the student interns who join the Garden every summer. This year, interns and their mentors are paying special attention to two plants, a wildflower native to Texas and a rare and remarkable native orchid, Meanwhile a third intern is investigating fungi growing in the Garden itself.
More ways to get involved with the Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Our Beauty Bus service will be temporarily suspended while we construct the new Baker Martin Family Garden. Thank you for your understanding as we create this beautiful new space!
