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Title: Safeguarding the Seeds of Native Plants

Author
item HAIDET, MEGAN - PLANT CONSERVATN ALLIANCE
item BYRNE, MARY - SEEDS OF SUCCESS
item McCoy, Joe Ann

Submitted to: Herbal Gram
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2007
Publication Date: 8/1/2007
Citation: Haidet, M., Byrne, M., Mccoy, J.H. 2007. Safeguarding the Seeds of Native Plants. Herbal Gram. 75:30-37.

Interpretive Summary: Bioversity International, an organization coordinating the conservation of genetic resources worldwide, reports that almost 95% of the genetic diversity of global staple crops such as rice, wheat, and maize is held safely in genebanks while non-crop related native species, including many medicinal plants, are not represented. As phytopharmaceutical demand, land restoration efforts, and conservation concerns increase there is an emerging emphasis by various organizations worldwide prioritizing germplasm collection of both native and medicinal species. The article reviews current collaborative efforts by various organizations to preserve native North American and medicinal germplasm. These organizations include: USDA NPGS (US Department of Agriculture, National Plant Germplasm System, ARS (Agricultural Research Service, PCA (Plant Conservation Alliance), SOS (Seeds of Success), BLM (Bureau of Land Management), CGIAR (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research), IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Research Institute), USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Chicago Botanic Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden, The Lady Johnson Wildflower Center, Mt. Cuba Center Inc., the North Carolina Botanic Garden, the North Carolina Arboretum, the New England Wildflower Society, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Zoological Society of San Diego, and Center for Plant Conservation Gardens.

Technical Abstract: As pharmaceutical demand, land restoration efforts, and conservation concerns increase there is an emerging emphasis by various organizations worldwide prioritizing germplasm collection of both native and medicinal taxa. Bioversity International, an organization coordinating the conservation of genetic resources worldwide, reports that almost 95% of the genetic diversity of global staple crops such as rice, wheat, and maize is held safely in genebanks while non-crop related native species, including many medicinal plants, are not represented. This review article summarizes the status of current collaborative efforts by various organizations to preserve native North American and medicinal germplasm. These organizations include: USDA NPGS (US Department of Agriculture, National Plant Germplasm System, ARS (Agricultural Research Service, PCA (Plant Conservation Alliance), SOS (Seeds of Success), BLM (Bureau of Land Management), CGIAR (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research), IPGRI (International Plant Genetic Research Institute), USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Chicago Botanic Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden, The Lady Johnson Wildflower Center, Mt. Cuba Center Inc., the North Carolina Botanic Garden, the North Carolina Arboretum, the New England Wildflower Society, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, the Zoological Society of San Diego, and Center for Plant Conservation Gardens.