Plants DO bring people together.

Yesterday I was at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden with a family who came to Richmond from a Somali refugee camp about two years ago. The dad was working, but the mom and her four kids joined my family and another friend to come to the “Tropical Beach Bash” event for families.

With two adults watching the kids in WaterPlay, the mom and I took a break and strolled through the Children’s Garden. Suddenly, she stopped and pointed to the West African Tukul (pronounced ‘too-cool") in the International Village. “I know this!” she said excitedly and went on to tell me about her grandmother and the crops her family used to grow.

The Tukul in the Children’s Garden was inspired by the traditional African Tukul—a dwelling made of mud, straw and sticks. Around it are plants important in some African cultures, so we paused to take a closer look at the prickly West Indian burr gherkins and the scarlet-colored peppers. She told me about the food she used to fix in her home country and, like any two moms, we discussed what kids will and won’t eat!

It was a pleasure to see the excitement on her face and hear her stories and recipes—inspired by the things we can all relate to—plants and food. Maybe you’ve had a similar experience with a person from another culture?

Beth Monroe is public relations director at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.

Some of the plants you’ll see around the Tukul in the Children’s Garden:
Cowpea ‘Big Red Ripper’ (also known as black-eyed peas)
Okra ‘Cow Horn’ (African word: gumbo)
Safflower (used as dye; seeds eaten)
Flax (used in Egypt; used to make linen cloth; seeds are also eaten)
West India Burr Gherkin (West African origin; small cucumbers with thick skins)
Fig (introduced into Northern Africa through trade)
Sorghum ‘Mennonite’ (native to Africa)
Watermelon (native to West Africa, used as a “ living canteen")

Many thanks to Heather Veneziano, Children’s Garden horticulturist, for plant information.

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