The particular focus is long-term conservation of ‘germplasm’, that is, any part of the plant that can be regenerated to form another plant. Germplasm includes seeds, embryos, buds and other tissues. The research also includes work on cultivation requirements, reproductive strategies and seed biology. This aids in the management of threatened species by providing information on factors affecting their growth, reproduction and dispersal.
Such information is essential to effective conservation, whether in the wild or in cultivation. Horticultural research also provides valuable information on the propagation and cultivation of Australian plants for the nursery and floriculture industries. The overall aim of this research is to bring a range of native plant species into cultivation and thus contribute to the conservation of biodiversity by increasing community appreciation of the Australian flora.