Papyrus hunting in Egypt - well protected in Orman Botanic Gardens, 18 July 2016

Orman Botanic Gardens is the main Botanic Garden of Cairo.  And it has an accession of Papyrus comprising three large, separate stands, probably just a single plant each.  The accession was collected from somewhere in the Nile Valley in the 1960's and grown by Mohammed Drar.   Hen e its provenance is a little mysterious.  Samples were taken from one plant.

^{The Island around which the Papyrus grows, in clayey mud, is well protected ...}

^{... the beautiful Papyrus itself ...}

^{... the author sweating profusely for science while collecting specimens ...}

^{... the specimens gathered, being prepared for preservation ...}

... Dr. Said, Director of Orman Botanic Gardens, Cairo and some staff.  Before sharing a delicious Turkish Coffee with the Author ...

My great thanks to the gracious Dr. Said and his staff for their co-operation, assistance and kindness on my short but highly profitable visit to Orman Botanic Gardens.