Save a species outright for £2,000
The average cost to ensure a species of plant will never become extinct by collecting and storing it in Kew's Millennium Seed Bank is £2,000. Help Kew save the world's most threatened plants by saving a species outright for yourself, or as a gift for £2,000 today.
To recognise your extraordinary contribution we will send you a certificate, a beautifully produced photograph of the plant species that you are responsible for safeguarding and we will record your gift on the touchscreen register at Kew's Millennium Seed Bank, located at Wakehurst, West Sussex. You will also be invited to a special behind the scenes tour of Kew's Millennium Seed Bank.
We also have species available at £1,000 and a selection of orchids from Madagascar also for £1,000.
Contact Jill Taylor on adoptaseed@kew.org or 0208 332 3248 (Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm) or click on a gallery image to purchase online. You can also read more about how the money is allocated.
Alluaudia procera
Madagascan ocotillo (Alluaudia procera) is a succulent that grows up to 18 m in height, with a mass of small yellow flowers. Found in the south western dry spiny forest-thicket of Madagascar, which have been reduced by almost 30% since the 1970s.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Alsinidendron trinerve
The ‘Critically Endangered’ Alsinidendron trinerve is found on the Hawaiian islands, on two peaks in the Waianae mountains. The three nerved Alsinidendron is a shrub about 50 cm in height, with white and green flowers. Less than 50 mature individuals exist within the current population.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Callistemon comboynensis
Cliff bottlebrush (Callistemon comboynensis) is a shrub 1–2 m in height with bright crimson flower spikes. This plant species grows mostly on rock outcrops and crevices above 550 m altitude in coastal ranges, north from Lansdowne in New South Wales and also in Queensland, Australia.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Camellia sinensis
Leaves from Camellia sinensis are used to make tea - the most important non-alcoholic beverage in the world. The plant is native to mainland China, south and south east Asia, but today it is cultivated across the world. An evergreen shrub with yellow-white flowers, this collection is from Tanzania.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Charianthus purpureus
From the UK Overseas Territory of Montserrat, Montserrat Charianthus (Charianthus purpureus) is a small tree approxiamtely 4 m high, with dark red flowers and dark red ripening to black fruits.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Diospyros kaki
The Chinese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is native to China, Japan and Korea. It has long been cultivated in the East for its tasty fruit, often called Sharon or Kaki fruits.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Duchesnea indica
The Duchesnea indica is native to eastern and southern Asia and has been introduced to other areas as an ornamental. Also called the Indian strawberry, the plant has foliage and fruit similar to the true strawberry, but comes from a different genus and has yellow flowers, unlike the true strawberries.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Epidendrum montserratense
Montserrat orchid (Epidendrum montserratense) is a 'Critically Endangered' plant species found on the island of Montserrat, where much of its natural habitat has been destroyed or damaged, either by volcanic eruptions or human activity.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Koelreuteria paniculata
This handsome small tree, known as golden-rain tree, or the pride of India (Koelreuteria paniculata), actually comes from China. It's dark red bark is striking in winter and contrasts with new pinkish-red foliage produced in spring, followed by yellow flowers and inflated bladder-like fruits.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Lilium auratum
Golden rayed lily of Japan (Lilium auratum), a native lily from Japan has side-facing flowers with a spicy fragrance. It has white, often spotted petals edged with gold band.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Mellissia begoniifolia
Mellissia begoniifolia, the St Helena boxwood, endemic to the Atlantic island of St Helena, was thought extinct until two specimens were found in the wild, clinging to a steep rock face on the island. Cuttings from these came to Kew for propagation and several thousand plants have since been reintroduced.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Metrosideros carminea
This endemic New Zealand climber (Metrosideros carminea) has beautiful crimson red flowers in spring.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Nesocodon mauritianus
Found only in the cliffs of Mauritius, the flowers of the Mauritian bloody bell flower (Nesocodon mauritianus) produce blood-red nectar, one of only three plants that do this. Recent studies have shown that at least two of the three Mauritian plant species with coloured nectar are pollinated by geckos.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Protea cynaroides
With its massive, bowl shaped inflorescences, the king protea (Protea cynaroides) is one of the most spectacular members of the Proteaceae family, and as a result, has been designated the national flower of South Africa.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Rhododendron delavayi
The beautiful Rhododendron delavayi from China is threatened by over-harvesting and urban development.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
Saintpaulia ionantha
The African violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) is native to Tanzania and is a common household indoor plant. Several of the species and subspecies are endangered, and many more are threatened due to clearance of their native cloud forest habitat.
Adopt this species for £2,000 for yourself or as a gift
- Print friendly
- Send to a friend
-
Send to a friend Close
- Spread the word
-
Spread the word Close
- Blog this
- Donate
Follow Kew
Keep up to date with events and news from Kew
