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Buy Tickets From Lab to Landscape: Saving Rugel’s Pawpaw
We recently received an exciting update from Bok Tower Gardens in Florida about our efforts to help restore the endangered Rugel’s Pawpaw!
In 2019, CREW’s Plant Research Division shipped a batch of Rugel’s Pawpaw plants grown using in vitro tissue culture techniques. Since then, 60 plants have thrived, reaching the size needed for outplanting. The most recent shipment arrived just a few months ago, continuing our shared mission to protect this rare species.
Rugel’s Pawpaw faces a grave threat due to habitat loss from cattle pastures, roads, and powerline developments. However, our research has demonstrated that in vitro propagation can play a pivotal role in conserving this species. These methods could also benefit other at-risk plants facing population declines.
Each success story is a step closer to preserving the unique biodiversity of our planet—and Rugel’s Pawpaw is a shining example of what conservation science can achieve.
