Eastern’s greenhouse is a sanctuary for imperiled plants

The greenhouse within the David G. Carter Science Building is home to a garden of elusive plants. The Department of Biology has been working to cultivate rare and endangered plants from around the world with the goal of reinstalling them in the wild.

According to Professor Bryan Connolly, who spearheads the initiative, the plants have varying levels of endangerment. One of his current focuses is the Puerto Rican erubia ( Solanum drymophilum) , a species initially thought to be extinct in the wild.

"We've partnered with organizations in Puerto Rico to reintroduce it to protected lands," said Connolly. "After years of effort and a substantial grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we successfully returned plants to their natural habitat last spring."

Connolly is working with researchers in Utah and Puerto Rico to propagate the self-incompatible plant by exchanging seeds and crossbreeding genetically distinct lines. "We're not just conserving plants here at Eastern - we're helping other institutions build their own conservation programs," he said.

A rare species known as American golden dock ( Rumex fueginus ) was discovered near the historic Eli Whitney Museum in Connecticut. Connolly said that the plant was thought to be extinct in the state before being uncovered due to a renovation project on a historic dam.

"It's an annual plant, so we're saving seeds and growing new specimens," Connolly said. "Once the project is complete in six years, we'll return the seeds to their original location."

Another recently re-discovered species is pygmy Rwandan water lily, which according to Connolly was endemic to a single hot spring in Africa that was drained for agriculture. "It's challenging to reintroduce plants because their original habitats have often been drastically altered by human activity," he said.

In addition to a safe space for imperiled plants, the greenhouse functions as a teaching space for independent-study students to learn experimental germination techniques on these rare plants.

One ongoing experiment involves the Kentucky coffee tree, whose seeds require specialized methods to germinate. "We've been using a culinary torch to break through the seed's hard shell," explained Connolly. "This method might speed up germination, which could be critical for restoration efforts."

He continued: "Ultimately, this greenhouse is a sanctuary. It's not just about preserving rare plants - it's about understanding their role in ecosystems and ensuring they have a future in the wild."