Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden: A UCLA Oasis of Biodiversity and History

Nestled on the southeastern corner of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) campus, the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden stands as a vibrant testament to the power of nature thriving amidst an urban environment. This 7-acre (2.8 ha) botanical garden, a "living museum," boasts a collection of over 3,000 plant species and serves as a sanctuary for students, researchers, and the community alike. It’s more than just a garden; it’s a dynamic educational resource, a hub for conservation efforts, and a place of tranquil retreat.

A Storied Legacy: From Arroyo to Botanical Garden

The garden's origins are deeply intertwined with the early history of UCLA. Shortly after the Westwood campus opened in 1929, seven acres near the arroyo on the east side of the campus were set aside to create an academic laboratory. This area, originally extending to "The Bridge," featured native willows along the creek bed and coastal sage scrub covering the dry hills.

In 1933, funding from the California State Relief Administration, initiated by Governor Frank Merriam to generate employment through municipal projects, played a crucial role in the garden's early development. George C. Groenewegen, the garden's first manager, began cultivating the area with horticultural donations from various sources, including the United States Department of Agriculture Plant Introduction Garden at Torrey Pines, the California Botanical Garden in Mandeville Canyon, Coolidge Rare Plant Gardens in Pasadena, and the Huntington Botanical Gardens.

By 1947, the botanical garden had expanded to host approximately 1,500 different species and varieties of plants. The garden continued to flourish under the direction of landscape architect Ralph Cornell from 1937 until the mid-1950s. His partner, Howard Troller, designed the subtropical conservatory and a lath house that was constructed for research purposes in the northwestern corner of the garden in 1952. The number of species expanded to 3500 under the next superintendent, Donald P. Woolley.

The Mathias Era: A Vision of Expansion and Education

A pivotal moment arrived with the leadership of Dr. Mildred E. Mathias, who served as director from 1956 to 1974. Renowned for her research on the Umbelliferae (carrot) family, as well as her dedication to botany, horticulture and conservation, Dr. Mathias championed public engagement and the establishment of themed plant collections.

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Under her guidance, the garden underwent significant expansion and innovation. Efforts were made to cultivate plants from tropical and subtropical regions, with a particular focus on those with striking flowers, such as the Bignoniaceae. In 1979, the facility was officially named the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, honoring her numerous contributions to horticulture and solidifying her legacy as a steward of Southern California's botanical heritage. The UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens has initiated an archival project to celebrate the life and legacy of Mildred E. Mathias. By curating and digitizing the large collection of Dr. Mathias’ photographs notebooks, and recordings as well as those of her former students, associates and admirers, we hope to share how important she was to botanists, conservationists, women in sciences, and beyond. Dr. Mathias photographed these collections throughout her career. The Mildred E. Mathias Gallery & Bio includes an extensive biography written by former Gardener Director Art Gibson and features photos courtesy of landscape designer Jane Marshall and science illustrator Sharon Belkin, who travelled with Dr. Mathias on trips on Costa Rica and Peru in the 1980s and 90s. Photographs are selected from J. Marshall and feature pages from S. These treasured photos of Dr. Below are featured a selected few of personally written postcards from people inspired by Dr. Mildred E.

A Living Museum of Global Diversity: The Collections

What truly distinguishes the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden is its remarkable diversity. Today, the garden boasts over 3,500 plant species from across the globe. Because the garden is frost-free it can accommodate tropical and sub-tropical plants, including special collections of ferns, palms, eucalyptus and figs.

The UCLA Botanical Garden of the 1950s included special sections of eucalyptus and other Australian plants, gymnosperms, palms, succulents, aquatics, and camellias. The original native vegetation had been removed, but was replaced by a horticultural display of California perennials.

Periodically, areas of the Garden were renovated to establish special collections, including Malesian rhododendrons, the lily alliance, bromeliads, cycads, ferns, mediterranean-type climate shrubs (e.g., chaparral), and native plants of the Hawaiian Islands.

These thematic sections are not only aesthetically striking but also serve as dynamic educational resources. The garden’s design makes full use of its hilly terrain and natural ravine, incorporating streams, ponds, and shaded arbors that provide habitats for koi, turtles, and city birds. Trails wind through intimate groves, sunny clearings, and hidden corners, encouraging exploration and quiet reflection.

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Noteworthy Specimens

Among the garden’s most notable residents are:

Dawn Redwood: A living fossil from China, reintroduced to science in the 1940s.
Torrey Pine: One of the largest specimens outside its native San Diego habitat.

The Herbarium: A Repository of Plant Knowledge

The UCLA Herbarium permanently houses approximately 150,000 pressed and mounted specimens including 400 type specimens. The herbarium, which contains 150,000 dried and pressed plant specimens with a focus on California and the Western United States, is curated by Dr. Anthony Baniaga. Although the focus of the herbarium is primarily the flora of California, the herbarium also contains specimens from all over the world, with approximately 30% of our collections from beyond North America. Workstations with boom dissecting scopes are also available.

The UCLA Herbarium contains notable personal herbaria donated to UCLA including collections by O.H. Kappler (ca. 2,200 specimens, most of the Santa Monica Mountains), Lawrence L. Kiefer (ca. 3,700 specimens of ferns), Mary V. Hood (ca. 1,600 specimens) and Grace Heintz (cultivated Eucalyptus of California). Some UCLA Faculty and Alumni, including Peter H. Raven, Elmer D. Johnson, Martin Cody, Mildred E.

The Phil Rundel Herbarium Library

The Phil Rundel Herbarium Library is a non-circulating collection specializing in books and other ephemeral materials associated with the study of plants. The collection maintains a focus on floras and biogeographical studies of plants from Mediterranean ecosystems worldwide including the California Floristic Province, Chile, the Mediterranean basin, southwestern Australia, and the Cape Region of South Africa. In addition, subjects pertaining to Plants & People (religion, spirituality, herbal medicine, edible plants, toxins, botanical exploration and history) as well as intersections of humans with conservation and ecology are also held. Our collections are nearly fully cataloged. Cataloged books are accessible through the UCLA Library Search under “Herbarium Library” or may be viewed by accessing our catalog (Herbarium Library Catalog).

A Green Classroom and Community Resource

More than a mere outdoor museum, the garden acts as a "green classroom" for UCLA and the surrounding community. The Nest, an outdoor classroom with semicircular bench seating, was constructed by the Garden staff and dedicated in 1996 to the memory of Hazel (Lisa) Kath McMurran, a UCLA alumna. Local K-12 students are invited to participate in immersive field trips, sparking curiosity about plant biology and conservation. The Nest, the garden’s outdoor amphitheater, hosts lectures, performances, and community events under the boughs of an ancient ginkgo tree.

Enhancements and Accessibility

Studio-MLA collaborated with Lehrer Architects on the development of a new public entrance and entry procession into the garden. The improvements include a visible new entrance that provides a more effective connection to the campus, a grand staircase and accessible ramp that leads to a new exhibit garden and event space (Lower Plaza), and new restrooms. The Studio-MLA / Lehrer Architects design for the street frontage and new entrance are highly visible and provide an open view into the existing garden from Charles E. Young Drive and Tiverton Avenue. Sculptural trees and a Garden Entry Plaza invite visitors into the garden and La Kretz Garden Pavillion. The accessible ramp takes advantage of the site topography to lead visitors into the expansive Lower Plaza, which serves as an informal gathering space, event space, and entrance to the existing botany building.

Consistent with the Conceptual Master Plan for the botanical garden, which identified opportunities to enhance and preserve this important campus resource, the project preserved the core of the garden as a subtropical botanical collection, strengthened the academic/educational uses of the facility, and enhanced the garden as an amenity to contribute to the quality of life of the University community. Later that year a massive effort was undertaken to build new paths on the western side of The Garden.

Health, Wellness, and Urban Sustainability

Beyond their scientific and educational value, spaces like the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden are increasingly appreciated for their contributions to public health. Urban green spaces promote mental clarity, reduce stress, and offer physical recreation, all within walking distance of dense neighborhoods and academic buildings. Students cite the garden as a favorite retreat from the demands of campus life, where the intricate beauty of living plants contrasts with the institutional architecture of the city outside.

Furthermore, the garden models sustainable practices for water management, habitat restoration, and climate resilience-lessons that are urgently relevant for Southern California’s future. By showcasing native perennials and drought-tolerant landscaping, the garden provides practical inspiration for homeowners, landscapers, and policymakers striving for a more sustainable Los Angeles.

Visiting and Community Access

True to Dr. Mathias’s legacy of inclusivity, the garden remains open seven days a week, with free admission. Its gentle paths and accessible entrances welcome visitors of all ages and abilities. Dogs are allowed (leashed), and monthly public tours as well as private group experiences ensure that everyone can benefit from this living resource. Seasonal events, workshops, and scientific exhibitions keep the calendar lively and community-focused.

Whether arriving for a guided walk, a contemplative picnic, or just a respite between classes, visitors are welcomed year-round, free of charge.

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