The National Collection of Endangered Plants is composed of more than 600 of the most imperiled plants in the country. The collection consists of rare plant material that is collected and maintained by participating botanical institutions. Scientists collect seeds and plant material from the rare plants in their region. They use this material to grow the plants for restoration work.

The Collection secures our native plants for the future. If any of the plants held in the Collection should become extinct in the wild, the National Collection becomes its only hope for recovery. The Collection provides material for scientific studies of plant rarity, rare plant life cycles, and rare plant storage and germination requirements.

You have the opportunity to help sponsor a species in your area! Plant sponsorships establish a permanent fund whose proceeds ensure sustained progress for recovery. A $10,000 sponsorship supports an annual income to the institution responsible for the plant species. If you or a group in your area would like to conduct a sponsorship campaign to fully sponsor a rare plant, please contact the Center. Opportunities for partial sponsorship are also available. The Center accepts gifts for plant sponsorship in any amount.

For more information sponsoring an unsponsored species in your area, please contact the Center for Plant Conservation at (314) 577-9450, or cpc@mobot.org.