The Seed Lab recently received funding to propagate the federally endangered Canelo Hills ladies’ tresses orchid (Spiranthes delitescens), a very rare plant native to southern Arizona. Orchid seeds are unique because they require a specific type of fungus in order to germinate, and without that fungus the only way to grow these plants from seed is using a method called tissue culture or micropropagation. Rather than being grown in soil like most plants, these seeds are grown in culture inside glass vials on specialized media. Once grown, these plants will be used for further seed collection and for reintroduction back into the wild.
