ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell Plantations is offering a $300 reward for information leading to the arrest of the individual or individuals responsible for the theft of three container plantings from the patio in front of the Plantations gift shop during the weekend of September 13-14. The theft was reported by the staff of Cornell Plantations, which is part of the Cornell University campus.

One pot contained a six-foot-tall banana tree (Ensete vintricosum 'Maurelii' ) with large reddish-purple leaves. A second container housed a large agave (Agave Americana x scabra 'Gainsville Blue' ), more than two feet tall, with thick blueish leaves and black spines. And the third contained a cycad (Cycas revoluta ) with leathery, fern-like green leaves spiraling from a central cone-like base.

Last spring a pot containing a Phormium 'Maori Sunset,' with large, strap-shaped, bronze- and-cream-colored leaves, was stolen and still is missing. All container plantings are in large terra cotta pots. The plantings are an integral part of Plantations' educational collections.

Plantations director Don Rakow comments, "These container plantings were carefully designed as part of an overall collection which has been marred by the removal of these individual containers. We are deeply disturbed by these immoral acts." As a result, says Rakow, Cornell Plantations is installing increased security measures to protect valuable plantings.

Information relating to the thefts should be reported to Cornell Police at (607) 255-1111.