EX SITU CONSERVATION

From the very beginning, Tropical Britain has been maintaining an ex situ conservation programme for rare or endangered plants.

Our main focus are plants that are on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. We have continuing programmes with Puya castellanosii (IUCN Red List - Endangered), Arum purpureospathum (IUCN Red List - Vulnerable) and Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides (IUCN Red List - Critically Endangered).

Plants in our ex situ conservation programme are not always available for sale to the public but may become available from time to time.

Puya castellanosii

Arum purpureospathum

Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides

We are also engaged in a conservation programme for Agave cupreata, a tender Agave that is used extensively in artisanal Mezcal. In the Mexican states of Guerrero and Michoacán many large specimens of Agave cupreata are harvested straight from the wild. A non-offsetting Agave, it relies entirely on seed dispersal for reproduction but it is precisely as the flowering spike is being produced - when sugar content is highest - that Mezcaleros prefer to harvest. As the global market for Mezcal has accelerated enormously over the last few years, the outlook for Agave cupreata has worsened and only organised replanting programmes by responsible Mezcaleros will ensure the survival of the species and a sustainable supply for the Mezcal industry. 

Agave cupreata

Botanical gardens who would like to participate in the programme and acquire plants to further this work are encouraged to contact us here

You can follow our conservation work on Twitter here

EX SITU CONSERVATION

From the very beginning, Tropical Britain has been maintaining an ex situ conservation programme for rare or endangered plants.

Our main focus are plants that are on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. We have continuing programmes with Puya castellanosii (IUCN Red List - Endangered), Arum purpureospathum (IUCN Red List - Vulnerable) and Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides (IUCN Red List - Critically Endangered).

Plants in our ex situ conservation programme are not always available for sale to the public but may become available from time to time.

Puya castellanosii

Arum purpureospathum

Rhipsalis mesembryanthemoides

We are also engaged in a conservation programme for Agave cupreata, a tender Agave that is used extensively in artisanal Mezcal. In the Mexican states of Guerrero and Michoacán many large specimens of Agave cupreata are harvested straight from the wild. A non-offsetting Agave, it relies entirely on seed dispersal for reproduction but it is precisely as the flowering spike is being produced - when sugar content is highest - that Mezcaleros prefer to harvest. As the global market for Mezcal has accelerated enormously over the last few years, the outlook for Agave cupreata has worsened and only organised replanting programmes by responsible Mezcaleros will ensure the survival of the species and a sustainable supply for the Mezcal industry. 

Agave cupreata

Botanical gardens who would like to participate in the programme and acquire plants to further this work are encouraged to contact us here

You can follow our conservation work on Twitter here