Sarah Eberle visited Sicily to choose plants suited to a Martian climate. Watch clips from her trip to the volcanic island.
Much of the garden is given over to luxury food and multiple function plant material to support the psychological welfare of the astronaut, each plant individually selected not just on the basis of aesthetic appeal but for its individual habitat.
The plants can be divided into three main categories, the consideration of each beinglargely based on current research:
Contribution to biomass and the carbon-oxygen cycle
Medicine and food
Psychological support
So, plants that grow quickly and exhibit constant change are psychologically important as are those which have a multi function such as opium poppy, calendula and arnica. Nutritional psychological support is also essential so fresh produce is included to satisfy the palate. Further planting acts as emotional support, reminding the astronaut of home, through familiar scents and plants that evoke memories
Ceratonia Siliqua
Grevillea Lanigera ‘Mont Tamboritha’
Myrtus Communis
Crassula Portulacea
Beschorneria Yuccoides
Agave Potatorium
Opuntia Rotundifolia
Opuntia Longifolia
Olea Europaea
Psidium Cattleyanum s. con frutti
Artemisia Arborescens
Thymus Vulgaris
Laurus Nobilis
Dasylirium Serratifolium
Echinocactus Grussoni
Agave Americana
Ferocactus Pilosus
Aloe Mitriformis
Aloe Arborescens
Agave Attenuata
Opuntia Vulgaris Dell’etna
Dodonaea Viscosa Purpurea
Dracaena Marginata
Cereus Uruguayanus Monstruosus
Pistacia Vera
Cycas Revoluta
Vitis Vinifera
Lavandula
Thyme
Sage
Watercress
Nastorium
Arnica
Calendula