About the Teaching Collections
This diverse reference of plants is used for both research and teaching. The collection features over 1,500 labeled species hosting a variety of interesting and important genera, including aquatic, desert, tropical, temperate, rare and endangered species. Prominent botanists collected many of our plants to meet the needs of the undergraduate courses taught at Duke.
Our display of cycads (Ceratozamia, Dioon, Encephalartos and Zamia) include specimens descended from the original collection of Professor C. J. Chamberlain of the University of Chicago, who at the turn of the century worked out the complex life cycle of these dinosaur contemporaries.
The primary function of the plant teaching collection is to serve undergraduate teaching at Duke University. We also serve as a resource for many school groups and plant enthusiasts. In addition, we protect species on the list of rare or threatened plants by vouchering plants to other universities.
