The second section consists of two wooded areas: The five-acre Upper Woodland, with a paved path, contains a fern glade, a camellia garden, gurgling streams, beautiful statuary, and a habitat designed to show visitors how to attract wildlife to their own backyards. Still more rustic is Storza Woods, 15 acres of natural woodlands and one of the few remaining hardwood forests in the city. Even though its path is unpaved, it makes for an easy and interesting walk.

Most exciting is the 16,000-square-foot, glass-walled Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory, housing rare and endangered tropical and desert plants--and a fascinating exhibit of poison dart frogs (more about them later). With acres of irreplaceable rain forest being bulldozed every minute, facilities such as this provide a much-needed haven for technology-threatened plant species. Approached via an arbored promenade and fronted by a water lily pond, the conservatory has a revolving globe outside its entrance showing the many regions worldwide where plant life is endangered.

The focal point of the conservatory is the misty Tropical Rotunda, housing fern collections, cycads (the most primitive seed-bearing plants known), epiphytes (plants that don't require soil to grow), gorgeous orchids, carnivorous plants, a wide variety of begonias, and towering tropical palms. It's a lush and humid jungle, with brightly hued tropical birds warbling overhead, a splashing waterfall, and winding pathways lined with fragrant hibiscus, African violets, and flowering jasmine vines. Of special interest is a double coconut palm seed from the Seychelles, the largest and heaviest seed in the plant kingdom. Its first 12-foot leaves have already begun to grow, but it will be 100 years before the tree reaches its full height.

In the midst of all this is an intriguing exhibit of Central and South American poison dart frogs--small, active ground dwellers in unbelievably bright colors (yellow, orange, lime green, cobalt blue) and vivid patterns. About 12 species are exhibited in three large terrariums filled with tropical rain-forest plants and designed to simulate the climates in the frogs' native lands. The exhibit is a big hit with visiting children.

The arid Desert House displays Madagascan succulents, such as a unique family of spiky plants called Didieriaceae. Here, too, are "living stones" (desert succulents that nature designed to look like pebbles to protect them from being eaten by animals), tree aloes, caudici-forms (with swollen stems and roots for storing water), and conifers from Africa and the Canary Islands. Adjoining is an area for special exhibits.

The building also houses an orangery of tropical mango, papaya, star fruit, lychee, coffee, and citrus trees. A 1996 addition was an "Olympic" olive tree presented by Greece in honor of the Centennial Olympic Games.

There are flower shows throughout the year, along with lectures and other activities. Call to find out what's on during your stay. A marvelous gift shop is on the premises; your purchases help support the garden.