The Michigan Daily - Friday, September 25, 1992- Page 7 U-M botanical gardens brings the Everglades to Ann Arbor by Pete Matthews When the would-be world trav- eler is hunkered down in the fall and winter semesters, with credit cards on the verge of melting and frost bite setting in, the U-M's Matthaei Botanical Gardens is a unique place for either vegging-out or taking a couple more bites from the Tree of Knowledge - for free. The Botanical Garden's conser- vatory - containing the region's finest collection of world flora - was conceived in the 19th century as a research facility for the study of the medicinal uses of certain plants. Although much of the sprawling complex is still dedicated to research concerning plant morphology, medi- cal applications, and ecology, the garden's conservatory has become an attraction and asset to the community. The conservatory is divided into three temperature-controlled sections - each housing flora representative of a particular climate zone. The first zone is tropical, the sec- ond temperate and the third desert. Docent Rita Piper's tour would make even Morticia Addams green with envy. Piper introduces her group to such maleficent vegetation as the Belladonna - a flowering Brazilian tree better known as the 'When he's heard the angel's trumpet he's had enough of the tree.' -Docent Rita Piper Pat Hopkins, acting director of the conservatory, said the criteria for the selection of the conservatory's spec- imens is their rarity, their value to human societies and their aesthetic appeal. On weekends, guided tours called "Plants from Nearby and Far Away" highlight the informative and enter- taining flora in the gardens. CLASSIFIED ADS ANNOUNCEMENTS S EN IORS! Remember to have your senior portrait taken this week in the basement of the UGLi from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday - Friday. There is a $5 sitting fee, so please bring that as well. Don't miss your chance to be a part of Michigan history! Questions? Call 764-9425 The MICH IGANENSIAN YEARBOOK ANNOUNCEMENTS SCULL ON THE HURON in four brand new club single "sculling boats. $100 per season. Call Susan Prince 741-8949 or Mat Miller 971-8836. WE'RE SEARCHING FOR A "FEW GREAT MEN." The Mr. USA Michigan competition is now interviewing men be- tween the ages of 18 and 35 to be contenders in the eighth annual Mr. USA Michigan event. For information call 335-5757. ROSH HASHANA SERVICES at Chabad House: 715 Hill, Sunday, Sept. 27 at 7:30 pm. Free meal. 995-3276. BEAUTIFUL HOUSE! Houseniate needed. 5 ruin. Walk to campus. No smoking, no pets. Own room $250 + util. 930-6187. "Angel's Trumpet." The plant received its name from the flower and its seeds, which in small doses have medicinal and hallucinogenic effects but are fatal if too many are popped. Used for torture, it is said "When he's heard the angel's trumpet he's had enough of the tree." Piper also presents plants from the insectavora family, including plants such as the Venus flytrap and the "monkey cup." Thirsty natives and jungle explorers would drink the soupy water from the "monkey cup." Peering into one of the "cups" a re- cent audience was horrified to see the ingredients of its batch of soup - four two-inch cockroaches - one still writhing. Piper also highlights the Cycads - fern trees which were contempo- raries of dinosaurs. She introduces the "Deliciosa Monstera" - the pine cone-shaped fruit which tastes like a combination of pear, pineapple and banana. Other attractions for the nearly 50,000 yearly visitors include the six miles of nature trails, a five acre grass prairie, a recreation of a 17th century culinary and medicinal herb garden, volunteer opportunities and mini-courses in horticultural techniques. Work-study jobs, research grants and facilities are all available to stu- dents wishing to become involved with the facility. Currently research is being conducted on the effective- KRISTOFFER GILLETTEDaily The Brontosaurus is extinct, but cycads thrive in the Tropical House at the U-M Matthaei Botanical Gardens in Ann Arbor. ness of cattails and bulrushes for waste water management, the rea- sons plants produce fragrances, and the medicinal uses of mescaline which will be extracted from dozens of peyote cactus - fenced in and locked up lest some Aldous Huxley or Carlos Castaneda should wander by. So in November when stark branches silhouetted by gray skies hang over frosty ground, in this Eden under glass the air will be sul- try, the soil pungent and all around and above the verdancy of banana, papaya and avocado will continue to swell. The Gardens are located two and a half miles north of Geddes at 1800 North Dixboro Rd. and are open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. f+ A HOUSEMATE WANTED: lbdrm. in 2 bdrm. house close to campus. on bus line. Washer/dryer, sundeck/fenced yard, parking, pets ok. 450/mo. + 1/2 utils. 741-9437. COMPUTERS ZENITH PORTABLE COMPUTER6 lbs. $300 XT computer loaded $250. 769-7820 eves.. MODEM: 2400 BPS, never used, w/Mac software, $90. Imagewriter II, gently used, $450 new, asking $200. 994-3852. NEW LOW COST, Notebooks TOSHIBA Pizza for Freshmen (and everyone else) Satellite Models.I atelliteMosSHOW US THIS AD and GET T1800 &.-111e T1850 '', " TopQU, $1 OFF YOUR FOOD ORDER* T1850 Color 7EPAI & WAaRANT ~sEVvCE, Too