Today in History: Pretoria Botanical Gardens declared a National Monument

The Pretoria Botanical Gardens were declared a National Monument under old NMC legislation on 3 August, 1979.

Founded in 1946, this is the home of the South African National Botanical Institute.

The Gardens also serve as a recreational space and a scientific research centre.

Besides having 50 hectares of the total area set aside almost exclusively for South African plants, the Gardens are home to more than 198 species of birds.

The Gardens are also home to a number of reptiles and small mammals such as the common duiker.

The Gardens also feature a special collection of medicinal plants, cycads, aloes, tree species, succulents and natural ridge vegetation.

Information sourced from: South African History Online.