1. Florilegium of
Plants in
Alcatraz Gardens
“Blossoms fight to be
Seen through the cracks in stone.”
Anonymous; October 31, 1992
Alcatraz Gardens
In the 19th century, the U.S. military planted
Victorian-style gardens on this barren island
to brighten the lives of families stationed there.
Later, during the federal penitentiary era of “The
Rock,” the Alcatraz Gardens were lovingly tended
by residents—including some privileged inmates.
When the prison closed in 1963, the gardens
languished for 40 years.
In 2003, the Golden Gate National Parks Conser-
vancy, National Park Service, and Garden
Conservancy launched a collaboration to restore
and revive this vibrant piece of Alcatraz history.
Today, the gardens—composed of historic plants
and newly introduced plants that fit the cultural
landscape—are thriving again, thanks to careful
stewardship and volunteer efforts.
The florilegium gallery can be found at
ncalsba.org/alcatraz
For more on the gardens, visit
alcatrazgardens.org
parksconservancy.org
nps.gov/goga
ALCATRAZ HISTORIC GARDENS PROJECT
100 YARDS
DOCK
EAST
ROAD
RESTROOMS
WARDEN’S HOUSE (RUINS)
CELLHOUSE
LIGHTHOUSE
PARADE GROUND
WEST ROAD
RECREATIO
N
YARD
BUILDIN
G
64
Main Road
Landscape
Officers’
Row
Gardens
West Lawn
Toolshed
West Side
Gardens
Toolshed Terraces
Greenhouse (ruins)
Lower Terraces
Rec Yard Slope
West Road Landscape
Cellhouse Slope
Former Rose Garden
and Greenhouse
Visitors to Alcatraz can enjoy docent-led tours
of the gardens; for details visit alcatrazgardens.
org. [Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone]
Alcatraz Island

2. What is a florilegium?
Botanical art—a time-honored art form that has
a rich and colorful history dating back to the 15th
century B.C.—saw a rebirth in the late 20th century.
Examples of this exquisite art can be found in
a florilegium—a collection of botanical drawings
and paintings depicting the plants of an area.
A florilegium can be of plants found in a particular
garden (such as the gardens of Alcatraz), or of the
plants found during the course of a voyage or expedi-
tion (such as Captain Cook’s exploration of the South
Seas in the 18th century). Historically, florilegiums
were created to scientifically document plants long
before cameras were invented. Contemporary
florilegiums are created to continue this beautiful
tradition marrying art and science.
How was the Alcatraz Florilegium assembled?
The Alcatraz Florilegium is a collaboration of
artists who are members of the Northern Califor-
nia Society of Botanical Artists (NCalSBA). This local
chapter is part of the American Society of Botanical
Artists, which strives to promote public awareness of
contemporary botanical art, honor its traditions, and
further its development.
Guided by Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy
staff, the artists visited the island and collected speci-
mens, which they took to their studios to photograph,
draw, and paint to create accurate botanical portraits.
The artists submitted their work to the project team for
acceptance into this collection.
There are currently 59 paintings and drawings of
“survivor” Alcatraz plants—species that weathered
the years of neglect, or were re-established according
to historical records. The Alcatraz project is ongoing;
artists continue to add to this florilegium that captures
the beauty, variety, and vitality of plants on the Rock.
Iris, standard bearded iris (blue), by Susan Hill-McEntee, 2014
Rosa ‘Bardou Job’, rose ‘Bardou Job’, by Catherine Watters, 2014
Pelargonium x domesticum, ‘Mrs. Langtry’, pelargonium,
by Pria Graves, 2013
Cover: Tropaeolum majus, nasturtium, by Bonnie Bonner, 2013
Sedum praealtum, sedum, by Katherine Rudebusch, 2014