The Conservatory of Flowers is the Golden Gate Park's oldest structure (1878). The ornate Victorian tropical glasshouse was imported from Ireland and bought by the park. Greatly damaged during the storm of 1995, it reopened after eight years of meticulous restoration work. Famous for its water lilies and tropical flowers, it is home to some 10,000 rare or endangered species. The carnivorous plants and orchid collection are particularly stunning.