Botanical Gardens and Herbarium Cultivates New Varieties Of Gumamela

New varieties of hibiscus, commonly known as gumamela, will soon bloom at the Botanical Gardens and Herbarium (BGH) of Bukidnon State University (BukSU), following a ceremonious planting spearheaded by University President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol on December 1, 2023.

According to Dr. Lesley C. Lubos, the Director of BGH, the event marked the incorporation of eight hybrid hibiscus varieties into the Flower Garden section. These additions are identified as Super High, Addie Bead, Bambina, California Orange, Honey Blonde, Morning Spring, Mon Amour, and Sweet Romance varieties.

Donated by a personal acquaintance of President Mirasol, an avid plant enthusiast herself, these seedlings symbolize a shared dedication to nurturing both the environment and the intellectual growth of students at BukSU.

“May this act of planting serve as a reminder of our shared commitment to nurturing both our environment and the intellectual development of our students and the development of the communities that BukSU serves. Let us cultivate a campus that flourishes with diversity, excellence, and a greener tomorrow,” said Mirasol.

The BGH, which currently cultivates native gumamela varieties, provides an ideal environment for the cultivation of these new hybrids due to its warm temperature and sunlit location.

“In the garden of life, the gumamela stands as a vibrant testament to nature’s artistry. Each blossom is a brushstroke, painting significance into the landscape, reminding us that even in the simplest petals, there lies a profound story of beauty, resilience, and the timeless dance between earth and bloom,” said Lubos.

Established in 2020, the 820 sq.m. BGH hosts over 1000 plant species. Serving as a learning laboratory for the Natural Science Department, it stands out as a unique botanical facility in Mindanao with its plant varieties curated into ten distinct gardens. The BGH is also one of the three facilities in Mindanao listed in the International Index Herbariorum by the New York Botanical Gardens. (BukSU-Information Unit)