CLEVELAND New conservatory houses pair of model ecosystems

The exhibits include some 500 species of plants and 50 species of animals.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Botanical Garden will reopen July 15 after being closed for nine months while awaiting completion of a new attraction: The Eleanor Armstrong Smith Glasshouse.
The 18,000-square-foot conservatory, with a peaked glass roof, will house two examples of the world's most fragile ecosystems: the spiny desert of Madagascar and the cloud forest of Costa Rica. The exhibits will include some 500 species of plants and 50 species of animals.
Each model ecosystem will show visitors the relationships among plants, animals, geology, climate and water, with interactive exhibits and exotic sights, sounds and smells. The specimens include many that are not found outside of Costa Rica or Madagascar.
A closer look
The Madagascar Biome features cliffs of sandstone where iguanas hide and a rock plateau featuring Madagascar's largest chameleon -- a 26-inch long creature with a tongue the same length. There are also five specimens of baobab trees, called "upside-down" trees because their branches look like roots, and several century-old uncarina trees, whose spiny seed pods stick to whatever they touch.
The Costa Rica Biome is shady and green, filled with butterflies, orchids, colorful birds, and a waterfall. Central to the exhibit is a 45-foot-tall Great Cloud Forest Tree, with a lizard, scorpion and tarantula living in the tree's hollow base. The tree supports a Canopy Walk, from which visitors can look down into a river gorge.
Visitors to the garden can also enjoy the Hershey Children's Garden, the Japanese Garden and other displays. Located at 11030 East Boulevard in University Circle, it will be open seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for children ages 3 to 12 and $5.50 per person for groups of 15 or more.
For more information, call (216) 721-1600, or (888) 853-7091, or check out www.cbgarden.org on the Web.