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Also known as mosses and liverworts, these are plant pioneers
and fill a vital niche in the ecology of many habitats.
The UK has an exceptional diversity of bryophytes with approximately
600 moss and 300 liverwort species. Of these, 50 are listed
for attention under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP).
In collaboration with the UK statutory conservation agencies,
Kew is developing ways of propagating and storing these species
using in vitro and cryogenic techniques. In this unique
project, novel methods of culture have been developed using
the endangered endemic UK moss, Ditrichum cornubicum.
Several priority species are now in culture and cryo-storage.
Samples of the critically endangered Orthodontium gracile
have been collected from 16 sites and are being material multiplied
in tissue culture. This will provide a source of uncontaminated
DNA for genetic fingerprinting as well as material for possible
re-establishment trials.
Fern species that are rare or difficult to propagate from
spores may be propagated in vitro. The techniques used
reduce the risk of spores of different species becoming mixed.
Successes with plants of conservation concern include the
Tunbridge filmy fern, Hymenophyllum tunbrigense. This
species produces green spores that can only be stored for
a few days; micropropagation allows rapid germination and
growth. These techniques are assisting the regional recovery
programme for this species in the Sussex Weald.
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Laboratory grown seedlings of Anacamptis
laxiflora planted at Wakehurst Place
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In nature most orchids form a symbiotic (mutually
beneficial) association with fungi in order to help the plant
obtain nutrients. This association is essential for the germination
of orchid seeds that lack their own internal food supplies
(endosperm).
The
Sainsbury Orchid Conservation Project was established
to investigate techniques for germination of temperate terrestrial
orchids in the laboratory using fungi.
Many tropical epiphytic and terrestrial orchids are grown
from seed in vitro at Kew. The media on which the seeds
grow contains nutrients to sustain the seedling and so a mycorrhizal
fungus is not needed, it is therefore called asymbiotic.
With good quality fresh seed, very high levels of germination
can be achieved in vitro, this allows thousands of
seedlings to be produced from a single capsule.
Working in collaboration with the Tsimbazaz Botanical and
Zoological Park, seed was collected from endangered species
such as Bulbophyllum elliotii and plants returned to
Madagascar to help support dwindling populations. The laboratory
continues this support through the Threatened
Plants of Madagascar Appeal.
Kew is a lead partner in several of the UK Species Action
Plans for endangered orchids such as that for the Fen orchid
(Liparis loeselii) and the Lady’s slipper orchid
(Cypripedium calceolus) which is one of the UK’s
rarest orchids. In collaboration with English Nature, seedlings
of the Lady’s slipper orchid have now been reintroduced
and the first flowering was reported in 2000.
Page 2 of 3, Next: Micropropagation:
Support for living collections >>>
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