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Telanthophora grandifolia "Giant Groundsel" In Guatemala and north to the neighboring province of Chiapas in Mexico, are tropical forests on 3000-5000 foot mountain tops, where elevation, high humidity, long days of daylight and mild temperatures combine to create a unique ecosystem. There, certain plants in their struggle for sunlight are transformed from small herbs to tree-like specimens, developing huge leaves, large flowers and woody trunks. Giant Groundsel, in the Mesoamerican Cloud Forest Garden at the southern edge of the great meadow, is an example of the effects of this environment. The dinner plate size golden disc flowers, 15 inch oval–shaped leaves, and 12–foot trunks are a remarkable alteration of a familiar if inconspicuous wildflower. The common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) is found in sunny meadows worldwide, and grows 12 inches high at the most, with yellow flower heads and small leaves. We have created our own cloud forests here in the Botanical Garden. With the help of fog and our mild Bay Area climate, we are able to approximate conditions for plants far away from their native homes. 
IN BLOOM CONTRIBUTORS: Docents Joanne Taylor and Kathy McNeil Profile Contributor: Associate Director of Adult Education, Fred Bové Additional photos provided by SFBG visitor Eric Hunt: © Eric Hunt, www.plantworld.org
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