Chad Husby
@chadhusby.bsky.social
Chief Explorer
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
(Horticulturist and Botanist)
"...one cannot forget where one gathered the handful of seeds from which so much has grown"
~David Fairchild, 'Exploring for Plants' (1930)
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
(Horticulturist and Botanist)
"...one cannot forget where one gathered the handful of seeds from which so much has grown"
~David Fairchild, 'Exploring for Plants' (1930)
"Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.”
~Robert F. Kennedy (4 April 1968)
~Robert F. Kennedy (4 April 1968)
September 12, 2025 at 3:51 AM
"Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.”
~Robert F. Kennedy (4 April 1968)
~Robert F. Kennedy (4 April 1968)
This stunning Blakea sp. is flowering in the Wings of the Tropics butterfly conservatory @fairchildgarden. Like many other members of the Melastomataceae family, the dramatic comb-like stamens curve down from above.
July 19, 2025 at 2:39 AM
This stunning Blakea sp. is flowering in the Wings of the Tropics butterfly conservatory @fairchildgarden. Like many other members of the Melastomataceae family, the dramatic comb-like stamens curve down from above.
"preventive war is like suicide for fear of death"
"even victorious wars cannot be justified unless they are forced upon one, and that one cannot see the cards of Providence far enough ahead to anticipate historical development according to one's own calculation."
~Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898)
"even victorious wars cannot be justified unless they are forced upon one, and that one cannot see the cards of Providence far enough ahead to anticipate historical development according to one's own calculation."
~Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898)
June 18, 2025 at 9:54 PM
"preventive war is like suicide for fear of death"
"even victorious wars cannot be justified unless they are forced upon one, and that one cannot see the cards of Providence far enough ahead to anticipate historical development according to one's own calculation."
~Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898)
"even victorious wars cannot be justified unless they are forced upon one, and that one cannot see the cards of Providence far enough ahead to anticipate historical development according to one's own calculation."
~Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898)
Dwarf red powderpuff (Calliandra haematocephala 'Nana') has set the Butterfly Garden ablaze with scarlet stamens @fairchildgarden. This is by far the most impressive display I have seen from this wonderfull compact flowering tree. Bees rejoice in the abundance of nectar.
May 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Dwarf red powderpuff (Calliandra haematocephala 'Nana') has set the Butterfly Garden ablaze with scarlet stamens @fairchildgarden. This is by far the most impressive display I have seen from this wonderfull compact flowering tree. Bees rejoice in the abundance of nectar.
The spiralling inflorescences of Anthurium wendlingeri never fail to amaze. The form of the spiral varies from one inflorescence to another (as seen here) and by geographic origin. This wonderful specimen from @nsetropicals is on display in the Conservatory @fairchildgarden
April 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
The spiralling inflorescences of Anthurium wendlingeri never fail to amaze. The form of the spiral varies from one inflorescence to another (as seen here) and by geographic origin. This wonderful specimen from @nsetropicals is on display in the Conservatory @fairchildgarden
A magnificent cycad, Zamia lindenii, is producing an impressive flush of new leaves @fairchildgarden. Native to South America, this is one of the largest Zamia species in the world and produces an impressive trunk. The specimen in this photo is nearly 60 years old.
April 5, 2025 at 8:21 PM
A magnificent cycad, Zamia lindenii, is producing an impressive flush of new leaves @fairchildgarden. Native to South America, this is one of the largest Zamia species in the world and produces an impressive trunk. The specimen in this photo is nearly 60 years old.
Stems of horsetails (here Equisetum giganteum at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden) are unique in the plant kingdom: combining telescoping stems with whorled leaves fused into sheaths and whorled branches originating between the leaves (rather than in leaf axils as in seed plants).
March 31, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Stems of horsetails (here Equisetum giganteum at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden) are unique in the plant kingdom: combining telescoping stems with whorled leaves fused into sheaths and whorled branches originating between the leaves (rather than in leaf axils as in seed plants).
Reposted by Chad Husby
Reposted by Chad Husby
The fruits of cashew (Anacardium occidentale) are unusual. The familiar nut is borne inside the hard-shelled fruit at the distal end of the fleshy, attractive, edible pedicel. I don’t know what disperses the seeds in nature. Primates? Bats? #Anacardiaceae #tropicalbotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
March 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The fruits of cashew (Anacardium occidentale) are unusual. The familiar nut is borne inside the hard-shelled fruit at the distal end of the fleshy, attractive, edible pedicel. I don’t know what disperses the seeds in nature. Primates? Bats? #Anacardiaceae #tropicalbotany #Botany 🌾🧪🌱
"All nations want peace, but they want a peace that suits them."
~Admiral Sir John Arbuthnot Fisher (1894)
Photo: Sir John Fisher in 'Renown' (1897)
~Admiral Sir John Arbuthnot Fisher (1894)
Photo: Sir John Fisher in 'Renown' (1897)
March 4, 2025 at 2:44 AM
"All nations want peace, but they want a peace that suits them."
~Admiral Sir John Arbuthnot Fisher (1894)
Photo: Sir John Fisher in 'Renown' (1897)
~Admiral Sir John Arbuthnot Fisher (1894)
Photo: Sir John Fisher in 'Renown' (1897)
The large fronds of this impressive rabbit's foot fern (Davallia species) are very lacy as they unfurl, but then mature to a fuller texture @fairchildgarden
March 1, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The large fronds of this impressive rabbit's foot fern (Davallia species) are very lacy as they unfurl, but then mature to a fuller texture @fairchildgarden
Reposted by Chad Husby
For #FossilFriday, here's a restoration of the possible life appearance of #Equisetites arenaceus, from the Early Late Triassic of Europe; a horsetail with stems up to 25cm across! I have more information about this on my patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/107353...
#paleobotany #paleoart
#paleobotany #paleoart
July 12, 2024 at 6:29 AM
For #FossilFriday, here's a restoration of the possible life appearance of #Equisetites arenaceus, from the Early Late Triassic of Europe; a horsetail with stems up to 25cm across! I have more information about this on my patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/107353...
#paleobotany #paleoart
#paleobotany #paleoart
This fascinating flowering tree from Madagascar has young leaves that unfurl like fern fronds! Pseudopteris decipiens was given its genus name "Pseudopteris" (i.e. "false fern") due to this uncanny resemblance. This exciting new introduction thriving in the Sunken Garden @fairchildgarden
February 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
This fascinating flowering tree from Madagascar has young leaves that unfurl like fern fronds! Pseudopteris decipiens was given its genus name "Pseudopteris" (i.e. "false fern") due to this uncanny resemblance. This exciting new introduction thriving in the Sunken Garden @fairchildgarden
Full moon at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
February 15, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Full moon at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Reposted by Chad Husby
I love the interesting leaf arrangements in Aloe. They are typically spirally arranged & none shows it better than A. polyphylla (📷: John Dransfield). Occasionally they’re distichous, as in A. suprafoliata. #Aloe #Asphodelaceae #TropicalBotany #botany 🌾🧪🌱
February 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I love the interesting leaf arrangements in Aloe. They are typically spirally arranged & none shows it better than A. polyphylla (📷: John Dransfield). Occasionally they’re distichous, as in A. suprafoliata. #Aloe #Asphodelaceae #TropicalBotany #botany 🌾🧪🌱
Article in the New York Times about how the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Sansevieria collection developed, with especially large contributions from Alan Myklebust, Arid Lands Greenhouses and many others, often associated with the International Sansevieria Society
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/r...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/r...
Snake Plant Varieties for Every Low-Light Corner of Your Home
Even botanists can be surprised at the sheer variety of a houseplant often known only for being indestructible.
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Article in the New York Times about how the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Sansevieria collection developed, with especially large contributions from Alan Myklebust, Arid Lands Greenhouses and many others, often associated with the International Sansevieria Society
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/r...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/r...
Some Sansevieria species from the region around the Horn of Africa can have dramatic orange root color. This is a beautiful glaucous form of Sansevieria powellii with elegant long spiralling leaves that I recently planted near the Garden House Lawn @ Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
February 11, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Some Sansevieria species from the region around the Horn of Africa can have dramatic orange root color. This is a beautiful glaucous form of Sansevieria powellii with elegant long spiralling leaves that I recently planted near the Garden House Lawn @ Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Sloanea montana is producing a stunning array of waxy flowers that look like they are made of porcelain at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. This beautiful small tree is from the island of New Caledonia. Many thanks to Atlanta Botanical Garden for sharing this remarkable species with us!
January 24, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Sloanea montana is producing a stunning array of waxy flowers that look like they are made of porcelain at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. This beautiful small tree is from the island of New Caledonia. Many thanks to Atlanta Botanical Garden for sharing this remarkable species with us!
"The nights are drawing into shorter days
I hear the old folk and the country people say
Don’t fear the dark, nature has it all in hand
Time to reflect and renew the tired land
So we’ll stoke the fire and light the lamp
Turn our backs in from the damp"
youtu.be/kCoTG7YZuA8?...
I hear the old folk and the country people say
Don’t fear the dark, nature has it all in hand
Time to reflect and renew the tired land
So we’ll stoke the fire and light the lamp
Turn our backs in from the damp"
youtu.be/kCoTG7YZuA8?...
Winter Song
YouTube video by Emily Smith - Topic
youtu.be
January 22, 2025 at 8:41 PM
"The nights are drawing into shorter days
I hear the old folk and the country people say
Don’t fear the dark, nature has it all in hand
Time to reflect and renew the tired land
So we’ll stoke the fire and light the lamp
Turn our backs in from the damp"
youtu.be/kCoTG7YZuA8?...
I hear the old folk and the country people say
Don’t fear the dark, nature has it all in hand
Time to reflect and renew the tired land
So we’ll stoke the fire and light the lamp
Turn our backs in from the damp"
youtu.be/kCoTG7YZuA8?...
Winter evening reflections at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
January 22, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Winter evening reflections at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Sunset at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
January 14, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Sunset at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Euphorbia mayuranathanii is in full bloom near the southern part of the Vine Pergola @fairchildgarden. This beautiful succulent is now considered a variation of E. antiquorum, but is distinct enough to continue using the former name in horticulture.
January 14, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Euphorbia mayuranathanii is in full bloom near the southern part of the Vine Pergola @fairchildgarden. This beautiful succulent is now considered a variation of E. antiquorum, but is distinct enough to continue using the former name in horticulture.
Sansevieria sp. 'Blue Kew' is a beautiful arborescent type of Sansevieria with stout vertical stems arsing from a spreading rhizome and thick silvery-green leaves with sharp tips. This handsome plant hails from the border area between Somalia and Kenya. It is thriving @fairchildgarden.
January 13, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Sansevieria sp. 'Blue Kew' is a beautiful arborescent type of Sansevieria with stout vertical stems arsing from a spreading rhizome and thick silvery-green leaves with sharp tips. This handsome plant hails from the border area between Somalia and Kenya. It is thriving @fairchildgarden.
In December and January the endangered semaphore cactus (Consolea corallicola) of the Florida Keys typically blooms and one can see the beautiful flowers at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. This interesting cactus is now restricted to one remaining wild population but is easy to cultivate.
January 13, 2025 at 4:53 AM
In December and January the endangered semaphore cactus (Consolea corallicola) of the Florida Keys typically blooms and one can see the beautiful flowers at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. This interesting cactus is now restricted to one remaining wild population but is easy to cultivate.