Using Ex Situ Collections to Test Mating Systems – Brighamia insignis

Storyboard Contributed by: Seana Walsh, National Tropical Botanic Garden

Understanding the reproductive biology of rare plant species is fundamental to managing their conservation. This video presents a case study of an extremely rare Hawaiian species, Brighamia insignis, which no longer can depend on its native pollinators in the wild. Researchers at National Tropical Botanical Garden conducted breeding system experiments to evaluate the self compatibility of this species in a greenhouse setting. This approach can be utilized by researchers at botanic gardens to uncover management strategies for rare species.