Seed bank | Français | Nederlands

Seed bank of wild plants specific for the phytogeographical districts of Belgium

Seed samples of representative of rare or endangered species of the different phytogeographical regions of Belgium are stored at -20° C. This ex-situ conservation is considered to contribute to the global strategy of nature conservation.

General seed bank

The seeds manipulated in the general seed bank are harvested from the living collections. They are conserved on a short-term basis and are used mainly for our own sowing programs and/or exchange with other botanical gardens or scientific institutions.

The National Botanic Garden is participating in the International Seed Exchange Scheme for botanic gard ens. A list of seeds is compiled every year and mailed to about 600 correspondents.

Wild Phaseoleae - Phaseolinae seed collection

The National Botanic Garden of Belgium ensures the management of a base collection of botanical and wild forms in the tribe Phaseoleae and the sub-tribe Phaseolinae. The main objective is to conserve on a long-term basis the largest possible genetic diversity through seed samples stored at –20° C. The collection provides the basic material at the disposal of the study of the global genetic diversity and of the improvement of food legumes, in particular for the genera Phaseolus and Vigna. Detailed information can be obtained at Wild Phaseoleae - Phaseolinae collection.

Link: Press release: Kiss of Life saves exctinct Belgian grass