DNA Banking Rare Plants of the Southeast

Each time Garden staff visit rare plant populations, a small leaf sample is taken (with proper permissions) and is stored on silica gel in the Conservation DNA Repository. 

Small leaf samples are removed from the plant and stored in a coin envelope, which are then stored in a sealed box with dry silica gel. This maintains a relative humidity of around 10-12%. The rapid drying of samples and storage on Silica gel will preserve DNA for decades.

These collections will facilitate research on imperiled species for many decades to come.

When plants are very small or have small leaves, we carefully sample the smallest amount possible. This can allow DNA work to be done with minimal damage to the plant.

We apply best practices developed by the Center for Plant Conservation when sampling. We typically choose 30-50 plants per population when possible. When populations are smaller, we try to sample from each individual.

To prevent the spread of disease, we make the smallest cut possible with a fresh razor blade, which are cleaned and sterilized before they are re-used. 

We plan to build the largest collection of DNA samples of rare plants in the Southeastern US. Over time, as our collection expands, we will have the ability to explore how plant populations change over time.