Wildlife Pond


Wildlife pond

 

Wildlife Pond in winter

 

This is one of the Mizzou Botanic Garden’s hidden gems. Nestled between Stephens and Lefevre Halls, this pond was created in the 1920's from a spring north of one of the buildings. It original included a Japanese garden with an arched bridge and Pagoda gate and was a favorite of Mizzou students. The original bridge, which has since been removed, was referred to as the kissing bridge by students at the time.

The pond is now home to several water plants native to Missouri, including Water Lilies (Nymphaea), Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata), Copper Iris (Iris fulva) and Meadowsweet (Filipendula rubra). There are several native trees including River Birch (Betula nigra) and Kentucky Coffee Tree (Gymnocladus dioicus) which provide shade and make it a pleasant spot to visit in the warm summer months.

 

A group of Blue Spruce (Picea pungens var. glauca)

 

A dripping waterfall now maintains the water levels and freshness of the area.

 

Water lily