What is a botanical garden ?

Options

A. It is essentially a collection of living plants maintained for both pure and applied studies
B. It is essentially a collection of plants only
C. It is essentially the collection of rare and fossil plants
D. It is for research work

Answer

### Step-by-Step Text Solution:

1. **Definition of Botanical Garden**: A botanical garden is a dedicated area where various types of plants are cultivated, preserved, and studied. It serves as a living museum of plants.

2. **Purpose of Botanical Gardens**: The primary purposes of botanical gardens include:
- **Education**: They serve as educational resources for students, researchers, and the public to learn about plant diversity and botany.
- **Tourism**: Botanical gardens attract tourists who are interested in nature and plant species.
- **Research**: They provide a space for scientific research on plant species, their genetics, and conservation.

3. **Types of Plants**: Botanical gardens typically house a wide variety of plants, including:
- **Exotic Species**: These are plants that are not native to the area and may be imported from other regions for research or display purposes.
- **Native Species**: Plants that are indigenous to the local area and are preserved for educational and conservation purposes.

4. **Examples of Botanical Gardens**: One notable example is the Kolkata Botanical Garden in India, which is known for its collection of exotic species and ancient trees.

5. **Facilities in Botanical Gardens**:
- **Gene Labs**: These labs are used to preserve the genetic material of various plant species, aiding in research and conservation efforts.
- **Herbarium**: A herbarium is a collection of preserved plant specimens that can be used for identification and study of different plant species.