WSU SBS Abelson Greenhouse

10/14/2025

10/10/2025

Neoregelia tricolor is a species of Bromeliad native to the South American Rainforests. Bromeliads are epiphytic plants that grow on branches of trees. The roots primary function is for support and not nutrient uptake. The majority of the plant’s nutrients are obtained from collecting water and plant and animal debri in the “cup” of the plant. The cup is located in the center of the plant and is also where the flower forms. These plants only bloom once and die soon after the flower fades. But don’t worry they create clones of themselves or pups that take over after the mother plant dies.

09/19/2025

Plant of the day! Madagascar Jasmine the flowers smell fantastic but don’t try to make tea out of this one 🥸

09/12/2025

Bulbophyllum echinolabium is a species of orchid native to Sulawesi and Borneo. This orchid is known for its large flowers up to 12 + inches and is a continuous bloomer. But be warned it is also known to be one of the stinkiest Bulbophyllum species!
The deep red lip is hinged and capable of moving back and forth to aid in pollination.

09/05/2025

Orchids Blooming everywhere! Come and enjoy these lovely flowers for yourselves! What plants should I show off next week?? 🧐

07/10/2025

Anybody up for a scavenger hunt? Come on up to the greenhouse and see if you can find these flowers or any other plants that strike your eye. Make sure to take a picture and tag us.

03/28/2025

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02/20/2025

Did you all miss us? We sure missed you! Construction is finally finished and we are working on moving plants back in to the greenhouse. The weather has been a little too frosty to move plants but we are hoping that the warmer weather next will help us out. Feel free to pop in and check out our new layout until then!

11/20/2024

Abelson Greenhouse is closed to the public until further notice for renovations. We will still be posting plants from the collection and updates of the construction, so stay tuned!

09/27/2024

This week’s family highlight is Asparagaceae. Asparagaceae is an incredibly diverse family that, through genetic similarities , has acquired 7 subfamilies. Plants in this family include many common house plants as well as garden plants. Genus included in this family are Agave, Scilla, Dracaena, Cordyline, Asparagus, Hyacinth, and allium.

09/21/2024

09/20/2024

Hey Cougs! 👋🏻 Happy Friday / Family Weekend!

This week’s family, Apocynaceae, is a family of woody and herbaceous flowering plants native to tropical, subtropical, and some temperate areas worldwide. Plants in this family are recognized by wheel-shaped or tubular corollas, often with coronal appendages. Additionally, many species within this family have a milky latex and are poisonous. These plants usually contain alkaloids and cardiac glycosides, which have been used for both arrow poison and heart medication. This family is also commonly known as the dogbane family, as some taxa have been used for dog poison. Well known genera within this family include Hoyas, Milkweeds, Oleanders, Plumerias, and Periwinkles. The popular houseplant, the string of hearts, is also in the Apocynaceae family.

Currently, in Abelson and associated greenhouses we have many specimen within the Apocynaceae family that are flowering! We are open this family weekend Saturday AND Sunday from 10 am - 3 pm. Stop by and check out the blooms! 🌸 Hope to see you there!