Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG) will implement DNA barcoding of its world-class collection of 2,000 orchid species in collaboration with barcoding experts at Columbus State University (CSU). This project will use existing DNA tools for documenting and verifying plant species to increase the scientific value of the collection, making it more accessible to a wider audience. As a result of this project, DNA barcodes, species images, and collections information will be accessible in an open access database, and herbarium vouchers of the living collection will be deposited at CSU. Additionally, a training program in DNA barcoding for high school and undergraduate students and teachers will be developed and implemented at ABG to support training in this technology and its applications. This project will serve as a model for documenting other plant collections at ABG and collaborating institutions.