Hot 'n' steamy
- Built in 1978
- Maximum temperature: 24ºC
- Minimum temperature: 20ºC
- Relative humidity: 80%
Although covering the same geographical area as the Montane Tropics house, this environment represents the lowlands and it is therefore warmer and wetter.
The main feature of this house is a limestone cliff which provides the environment for members of the African violet family, the Gesneriaceae. Within the Gesneriaceae there are such horticulturally important plants as the goldfish plants (Columnea) and the lipstick vine (Aeschynanthus).
Around the edges of the house are the spectacular flowers of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). Many of the plants in this family are sources of essential oils. Others, such as the roots of turmeric or the flowers of cardamom, provide important spices and medicines.
A range of tropical climbers from passion flowers (Passiflora serrulata) to Dutchman's pipes (Aristolochia trilobata) and the striking jade vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys), provide natural shade for the ground-cover plants.
