In partnership with: The United States Botanic Garden and BGCI-US via North American Fruit and Nut Tree Crop Wild Relative (NAFANT CWR)

Project Completed: 2024

Institution: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (LBJWC)

Safeguarding wild Prunus species in ex situ collections

Introduction

This conservation partnership was launched to strengthen the ex situ collections of three native wild Prunus species: Prunus serotina var. eximia, Prunus gracilis, and Prunus minutiflora. These underrepresented species, important as crop wild relatives, are a priority for safeguarding biodiversity and future food security.

Project Goals 

The initiative focused on three key objectives: improving the quality and quantity of seed collections for long-term conservation, refining propagation techniques for each species, and distributing collected germplasm to partner institutions to bolster ex situ collections.

Key Achievements

Despite limited fruit production from P. serotina var. eximia in 2024, the team successfully gathered approximately 3,200 seeds from two sites. A portion of these seeds was shared with the Plant Genetic Resources Unit in New York, others were stored in LBJWC’s seed bank and the remainder of the seed saved for germination testing. The team made significant progress with P. minutiflora, the rarest of the three species. By surveying 14 populations across 12 counties, they collected over 2,000 seeds from seven sites. A major seed sample was sent to the National Clonal Germplasm Repository in California, with the remainder reserved for germination research.

P. gracilis populations were monitored for fruiting; however, collections could not be made in 2024. Voucher specimens were prepared for all collections to support ongoing research and documentation. Propagated germplasm from P. serotina var. eximia and P. minutiflora will be distributed to interested partner institutions further enhancing ex situ collections of these important crop wild relatives.