National Collection
Search CollectionBringing Rarity Together
The Center for Plant Conservation maintains a collection of more than 2,000 of America’s most imperiled native plants through its network of world class botanical gardens. Our 71 Institutional Conservation Partners safeguard endangered plant material in “ex situ” botanical collections including seed banks, nurseries, and garden displays. An important conservation resource, the National Collection serves as an emergency backup in case a species becomes extinct or no longer reproduces in the wild. To communicate this important work, CPC and its network of conservation experts actively update web profiles for all National Collection species, which serve as a historical record of conservation actions taken to save these rare plants. Search the National Collection and view the plant profiles to learn more about these beautiful, imperiled rare plants and the gardens that conserve them.
Venus' Flytrap
Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) is a carnivorous plant species endemic to 100 km landward radius centered near Wilmington, North Carolina, USA. This species is very well known to hobbyists and recognized throughout the world. However, in its native range, Venus flytrap is a conservation concern due to having a small number of robust protected populations and declines from threats such as fire suppression, land conversion, and poaching.
CPC has funded North Carolina Botanic Garden to make conservation seed collections of this species in its native range. CPC Rare Plant Academy features video of conservation officer Dr. Johnny Randall discussing the threat this unique species faces.
CPC National Collection Search
The Center for Plant Conservation’s National Collection of Endangered Plants contains plant material for more than 1,600 of the country’s most imperiled native plants. An important conservation resource, the National Collection is a backup in case a species becomes extinct or no longer reproduces in the wild. Search the National Collection and view the plant profiles to learn more about these beautiful, imperiled plants.

Sponsor a Plant in the National Collection
To offset some of the expenses of collecting, growing, and researching plant species in the National Collection, the Center for Plant Conservation created the Plant Sponsorship Program to provide Participating Institutions responsible for a named species stable funding for the long-term work. A sponsorship does not cover all the expenses, but it provides significant help and stability, and has a critical and lasting impact on plant conservation efforts.
News from our Save Plants Digest
Donate
With your help we can safeguard more of the unique plants in peril and in need of protection by adding them to the National Collection and conserving them in the wild.
Donate Today