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The USBG holds the distinction of being the oldest continually-operating botanic garden in the United States, established in 1820.
Answer: True
Explanation: The United States Botanic Garden was established in 1820 and is recognized as the oldest continually-operating botanic garden in the United States.
The original Botanic Garden ceased operation in 1837 primarily due to a lack of congressional funding.
Answer: False
Explanation: The original Botanic Garden ceased operations in 1837 because the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences, which was involved in its early management, discontinued its meetings.
Charles Wilkes was instrumental in the re-establishment of the Botanic Garden in 1842 after his expedition returned with a vast collection of plants.
Answer: True
Explanation: The return of the Wilkes Expedition in 1842 with an extensive plant collection necessitated a facility to house them, thereby leading to the re-establishment of the Botanic Garden.
Photius Fisk was a U.S. Navy admiral who collected minerals for the United States Botanic Garden.
Answer: False
Explanation: Photius Fisk was a U.S. Navy chaplain and abolitionist who collected seeds and rare plants for the United States Botanic Garden, not an admiral collecting minerals.
The United States Botanic Garden building was moved to its current location in 1933, southwest of the Capitol.
Answer: True
Explanation: The USBG building was relocated to its present site, positioned southwest of the Capitol, in 1933.
The creation of the Botanic Garden was first suggested in 1816 by the National Academy of Sciences.
Answer: False
Explanation: The creation of the Botanic Garden was first suggested in 1816 by the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences.
A dedicated botanic garden was built in 1850 to house the Wilkes collection in the area where the Capitol reflecting pool is today.
Answer: True
Explanation: A dedicated botanic garden was constructed in 1850 to house the Wilkes collection, situated in front of the Capitol in the area presently occupied by the Capitol reflecting pool.
Photius Fisk collected the rare butterfly flower, *Oncidium Papilio*, primarily from Brazil.
Answer: False
Explanation: Photius Fisk collected the rare butterfly flower, *Oncidium Papilio*, from Saint Thomas, while other species he collected were primarily from Brazil.
The Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences suggested the creation of the Botanic Garden in 1816.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences first suggested the creation of the Botanic Garden in 1816.
What historical distinction does the United States Botanic Garden hold?
Answer: It is the oldest continually-operating botanic garden in the United States.
Explanation: The United States Botanic Garden is recognized as the oldest continually-operating botanic garden in the United States.
When was the United States Botanic Garden originally created?
Answer: 1820
Explanation: The United States Botanic Garden was formally created in 1820, following an act of Congress.
What event led to the re-institution of the Botanic Garden in 1842?
Answer: The return of the Wilkes Expedition with a vast collection of plants.
Explanation: The return of the Wilkes Expedition in 1842 with an extensive collection of plants necessitated the re-institution of the Botanic Garden to house them.
When was the United States Botanic Garden building moved to its current location?
Answer: 1933
Explanation: The United States Botanic Garden building was relocated to its present site, just southwest of the Capitol, in 1933.
The creation of the Botanic Garden was first suggested in 1816 by which organization?
Answer: The Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences
Explanation: The initial proposal for the Botanic Garden was put forth in 1816 by the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences.
Why did the original Botanic Garden cease operation in 1837?
Answer: The Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences stopped holding meetings.
Explanation: The original Botanic Garden ceased operations in 1837 because the Columbian Institute for the Promotion of Arts and Sciences, the society instrumental in its suggestion and early management, discontinued its meetings.
What specific plant species did Photius Fisk obtain from Saint Thomas for the USBG?
Answer: Oncidium Papilio
Explanation: Photius Fisk procured the rare butterfly flower, *Oncidium Papilio*, from Saint Thomas for the USBG.
Wardian cases were primarily used by Charles Wilkes to transport dried plant specimens during his expedition.
Answer: False
Explanation: Wardian cases were sealed glass containers specifically designed to transport *live* plants over long distances, creating a miniature greenhouse environment.
The dried plant specimens from the Wilkes Expedition formed the core of what is now the National Herbarium, curated by the Smithsonian Institution.
Answer: True
Explanation: The dried plant specimens amassed during the Wilkes Expedition became the foundational collection of the National Herbarium, curated by the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History.
There are believed to be only two plants in the USBG directly related to the original Wilkes Expedition.
Answer: False
Explanation: There are believed to be four plants in the United States Botanic Garden that are directly related to the original Wilkes Expedition.
The Vessel Fern (*Angiopteris evecta*) in the Conservatory's Jungle room is considered a direct progeny of a Wilkes Expedition specimen.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Vessel Fern, *Angiopteris evecta*, located in the Jungle room of the Conservatory, is believed to be the direct progeny of the Vessel Fern transported back on Wilkes' ship, and is thought to be genetically identical to the original.
The Ferocious Blue Cycad (*Encephalartos horridus*) is definitively confirmed as one of the original Wilkes plants.
Answer: False
Explanation: The connection of the Ferocious Blue Cycad (*Encephalartos horridus*) to the Wilkes Expedition is considered questionable due to incomplete and inaccurate early records, rather than definitively confirmed.
The Queen Sagos (*Cycas circinalis*) housed in the Garden Court were brought back with the Wilkes Expedition.
Answer: True
Explanation: Both the male and female Queen Sagos (*Cycas circinalis*) cultivated in the Garden Court were indeed brought back with the Wilkes Expedition.
The live plant specimens from the Wilkes Expedition were initially housed in the Old Patent Office greenhouse until 1850.
Answer: True
Explanation: The live plant specimens and seeds brought back from the Wilkes Expedition were initially housed and cared for in the Old Patent Office greenhouse until 1850.
Who was Charles Wilkes?
Answer: The leader of the United States Exploring Expedition.
Explanation: Charles Wilkes was the leader of the United States Exploring Expedition, a significant scientific exploration commissioned by Congress in 1838.
What were 'Wardian cases' primarily used for during the Wilkes Expedition?
Answer: Transporting live plants over long distances.
Explanation: Wardian cases were sealed glass containers specifically used to transport live plants over long distances, creating a miniature greenhouse environment to ensure their survival.
Where were the live plant specimens and seeds from the Wilkes Expedition initially housed?
Answer: The Old Patent Office greenhouse
Explanation: The live plant specimens and seeds brought back from the Wilkes Expedition were initially housed and cared for in the Old Patent Office greenhouse until 1850.
How many plants in the USBG are believed to be directly related to the original Wilkes Expedition?
Answer: Four
Explanation: There are four plants within the United States Botanic Garden that are believed to be directly related to the original Wilkes Expedition, representing a living connection to that seminal scientific journey.
Which plant in the Conservatory's Jungle is considered a direct progeny of a Wilkes Expedition specimen?
Answer: The Vessel Fern (*Angiopteris evecta*)
Explanation: The Vessel Fern, *Angiopteris evecta*, located in the Jungle room of the Conservatory, is believed to be the direct progeny of the Vessel Fern transported back on Wilkes' ship.
Which specific cycad species from the Wilkes Expedition are housed in the Garden Court?
Answer: Queen Sagos
Explanation: The Queen Sagos, *Cycas circinalis*, a type of cycad, are cultivated in the Garden Court, and both male and female specimens were brought back with the Wilkes Expedition.
The Ferocious Blue Cycad's connection to the Wilkes Expedition is considered:
Answer: Questionable due to incomplete and inaccurate early records.
Explanation: The connection of the Ferocious Blue Cycad to the Wilkes Expedition is considered questionable due to incomplete and inaccurate early records, which preclude definitive confirmation.
The Conservatory's Jungle room is the largest and features a second-story catwalk for visitors.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Jungle room is the most expansive of the Conservatory's rooms and incorporates a second-story catwalk, enabling visitors to observe the jungle canopy from both ground level and above.
All rooms within the Conservatory are equipped with air conditioning to maintain optimal plant conditions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Only specific areas of the Conservatory, namely the Hawaiian house, the galleries, and the south lobby, are equipped with air conditioning.
The Conservatory's environment is regulated by computer-operated sensors that control humidity, sunlight, and temperature.
Answer: True
Explanation: The environmental conditions within each Conservatory room are precisely regulated by computer-operated sensors that control humidity, sunlight, and temperature through a sophisticated system of misting, retractable shades, and levered windows.
All plants within the Conservatory are watered automatically by an overhead sprinkler system.
Answer: False
Explanation: All plants within the Conservatory are meticulously watered daily by hand, ensuring that each specimen receives the precise amount of hydration required.
Which room in the Conservatory is the largest and features a second-story catwalk?
Answer: The Jungle room
Explanation: The Jungle room is the most expansive of the Conservatory's rooms and incorporates a second-story catwalk, providing a comprehensive ecological perspective for visitors.
How are the plants in the Conservatory watered?
Answer: Daily by hand.
Explanation: All plants within the Conservatory are meticulously watered daily by hand, ensuring that each specimen receives the precise amount of hydration required for its health and vitality.
Which of the following is a habitat room found within the Conservatory?
Answer: Garden Primeval
Explanation: The Garden Primeval is one of the distinct habitat rooms found within the Conservatory, designed to simulate specific natural environments.
Which parts of the Conservatory are equipped with air conditioning?
Answer: The Hawaiian house, the galleries, and the south lobby
Explanation: Only designated areas of the Conservatory, specifically the Hawaiian house, the galleries, and the south lobby, are equipped with air conditioning, while the majority relies on natural and controlled ventilation.
The three main locations comprising the USBG are the Conservatory, the National Garden, and the Production Facility.
Answer: False
Explanation: The three main locations comprising the USBG are the Conservatory, Bartholdi Park, and the Production Facility. The National Garden is a feature within the USBG, but Bartholdi Park is one of the three primary locations.
The National Garden, completed in 2006, includes a regional garden showcasing plants native to the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Piedmont.
Answer: True
Explanation: The National Garden, completed in October 2006, features a regional garden specifically designed to showcase plants indigenous to the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Piedmont.
Bartholdi Park is named after the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who designed the park's central fountain.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bartholdi Park is named in honor of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the renowned sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, who also designed the central Bartholdi Fountain.
The primary goal of Bartholdi Park is to house the administrative building for the United States Botanic Garden.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary pedagogical objective of Bartholdi Park is to offer inspiration and practical horticultural concepts for visiting home gardeners. While it does house the administrative building, that is not its primary goal.
The Production Facility is primarily used for displaying annual shows and exhibits to the public.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Production Facility is dedicated to the cultivation and storage of plants for propagation, ongoing collection maintenance, and for display in forthcoming annual shows and exhibits, rather than for direct public display of annual shows.
The National Garden's construction was funded by the U.S. government's annual budget.
Answer: False
Explanation: The construction of the National Garden was financed by the National Fund for the U.S. Botanic Garden, which now functions as a 'friends group' supporting the garden's initiatives, not the U.S. government's annual budget.
One section of Bartholdi Park is certified as a National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat.
Answer: True
Explanation: A designated section of Bartholdi Park has achieved certification as a National Wildlife Federation Backyard Wildlife Habitat.
The First Ladies Water Garden is a feature of the National Garden and serves as a memorial to the First Ladies of the United States.
Answer: True
Explanation: The First Ladies Water Garden is indeed a feature of the National Garden and functions as a commemorative tribute to the First Ladies of the United States.
Which of the following is NOT one of the three main locations that comprise the USBG?
Answer: The National Herbarium
Explanation: The three main locations comprising the USBG are the Conservatory, Bartholdi Park, and the Production Facility. The National Herbarium is a separate collection curated by the Smithsonian Institution.
When was the National Garden completed?
Answer: 2006
Explanation: The 3-acre National Garden, situated on the Botanic Garden's western border, was completed in October 2006.
What is the primary goal of Bartholdi Park?
Answer: To provide inspiration and practical ideas for home gardeners.
Explanation: The primary pedagogical objective of Bartholdi Park is to offer inspiration and practical horticultural concepts for visiting home gardeners.
What is a key feature of the National Garden, completed in October 2006?
Answer: A regional garden showcasing plants native to the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Piedmont.
Explanation: A principal feature of the National Garden, completed in October 2006, is a regional garden showcasing plants indigenous to the Atlantic Coastal Plain and Piedmont.
Who designed the Bartholdi Fountain, located at the center of Bartholdi Park?
Answer: Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi
Explanation: Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the renowned sculptor of the Statue of Liberty, designed the Bartholdi Fountain, which occupies the park's center.
What additional function does Bartholdi Park serve besides displaying gardens?
Answer: It houses the administrative building for the United States Botanic Garden.
Explanation: In addition to its role in displaying gardens, Bartholdi Park also accommodates the administrative building for the United States Botanic Garden, serving as a central hub for its operational management.
What does the First Ladies Water Garden commemorate?
Answer: The First Ladies of the United States.
Explanation: The First Ladies Water Garden, a feature of the National Garden, serves as a commemorative tribute to the First Ladies of the United States.
The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is supervised by the Smithsonian Institution, an agency responsible for national museums.
Answer: False
Explanation: The USBG is supervised by the Architect of the Capitol, an agency of the United States Congress, not the Smithsonian Institution.
During the 1997 renovation, all plants from the USBG collection were placed in storage at the Production Facility.
Answer: False
Explanation: During the 1997 renovation, plants were either stored at the USBG Production Facility, retired to greenhouses in Florida, or composted, depending on their suitability and condition.
The USBG participates in CITES, caring for plants seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection due to illegal trade.
Answer: True
Explanation: The USBG participates in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), providing care for plants confiscated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection due to their involvement in illegal trade.
The United States Botanic Garden specializes exclusively in tropical fruit-bearing plants.
Answer: False
Explanation: The United States Botanic Garden specializes in orchids and succulents, not exclusively tropical fruit-bearing plants.
The United States Botanic Garden is located near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Answer: False
Explanation: The United States Botanic Garden is located on the grounds of the United States Capitol, near the James A. Garfield Monument, not the Lincoln Memorial.
The USBG building was closed for renovations for approximately two years, from 1997 to 1999.
Answer: False
Explanation: The USBG building was closed for renovations from September 1, 1997, to December 11, 2001, which constitutes approximately four years, not two.
The USBG is open to the public only on weekdays, excluding federal holidays.
Answer: False
Explanation: The USBG is accessible to the public every day of the year, including federal holidays.
Which agency supervises the United States Botanic Garden?
Answer: The Architect of the Capitol
Explanation: The United States Botanic Garden is supervised by the United States Congress through the Architect of the Capitol.
What happened to the USBG building between September 1, 1997, and December 11, 2001?
Answer: It was closed for major renovations.
Explanation: The USBG building underwent a major renovation, closing on September 1, 1997, and subsequently reopening to the public on December 11, 2001.
What international agreement does the USBG participate in, involving seized plants?
Answer: CITES
Explanation: The USBG participates in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which involves caring for plants seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection due to illegal trade.
What types of plants does the United States Botanic Garden specialize in?
Answer: Orchids and succulents
Explanation: The United States Botanic Garden specializes in orchids and succulents, exhibiting a diverse array of these distinctive and often delicate plant taxa.
What is the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) primarily defined as?
Answer: A botanical garden maintaining collections of living plants for research and education.
Explanation: The United States Botanic Garden is defined as a botanical garden that maintains collections of living plants for scientific research, conservation, public display, and educational purposes.
The USBG is located on the grounds of which prominent Washington D.C. landmark?
Answer: The United States Capitol
Explanation: The United States Botanic Garden is located on the grounds of the United States Capitol, near the James A. Garfield Monument.
What is the operating schedule of the USBG?
Answer: Open every day of the year, including federal holidays.
Explanation: The USBG is accessible to the public every day of the year, including federal holidays, allowing for consistent access to its plant collections and exhibits.