The MBC Seedbank

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Conservation Through Cultivation

It has been said that "the best way to keep a plant is to give it away." Widespread cultivation of imperiled plants helps ensure against their extinction. Making prized plant species abundantly available in the horticulture trade directly reduces pressure on the wild populations. This is a primary reason for MBC's commitment to sharing its living collections.

Seeds produced from MBC living collections are routinely distributed to botanic gardens, research institutions, universities, schools, and plant societies worldwide. Pollen collections are also maintained in cryostorage through the Seedbank, and made available as needed. MBC’s Seedbank Program is supported by a large group of MBC Volunteers. An article on the history of the Program was published in January 2000.

After conservation, research, and educational distributions are made, the remaining seeds are auctioned off in perhaps the first-ever online seed auction, in partnership with the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA). Proceeds from this auction support the MBC Seedbank.

Click here for more information on the MBC/FNGLA Seedbank Online Auction.

For more information about the MBC/FNGLA Seedbank Auction, please contact:

Attn: Seedbank
Miami-Dade Chapter FNGLA
18710 SW 288 Street, Room 38
Homestead, Florida 33030-2309

If your institution or society is interested in obtaining seeds from MBC’s Collections, please submit a letter indicating the contact person, name, and address of your institution; a brief purpose statement about your institution or society; and which species you are interested in. In some cases, MBC may require that your institution reimburse MBC for postage on the seeds. Mail your request letter to:

Claudia Calonje, Seedbank Coordinator
Montgomery Botanical Center
11901 Old Cutler Road
Coral Gables, FL  33156-4242

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