Research | National Botanic Gardens of Ireland

A National Seed Bank in the National Botanic Gardens

Plants are fascinating. Even though they surround us and feed us, they often go unseen and unnoticed each day. They even hold the record for the largest and oldest organisms on earth – the largest being a clone of aspen trees and the oldest being a bristle cone...

Plant News from the 18th World Wildlife Conference

Blog, Irish Botany News, News, Research

by Dr Noeleen Smyth, National Botanic Gardens of Ireland Elephants, Giraffes, Sharks, Frankincense, Rosewoods and Malawi Cedars… What do all these have in common? These were some of the plant and animal species discussed at the world wildlife conference also known...

Eucalyptus Gall Wasp – an additional threat to Eucalyptus in Ireland

Blog, Irish Botany News, News, Research

In late June a plant sample came to the Foremen at the National Botanic Gardens for identification of a plant problem. On close examination small galls were identified on the leaves of Eucalyptus gunnii from a suburban garden in Dublin 6. The specimen was placed in a...

Levinge lost treasures – plant specimens which have survived fire and lay undocumented at Irelands National Herbarium

Blog, Irish Botany News, News, Research

This blog focuses on the discovery of the wealth of Irish and Indian plant specimens collected by Henry (Harry) Corbyn Levinge (1828-1896) rediscovered in the Herbarium here at the National Botanic Gardens. Levinge grew up in Knock Drin Castle in County Westmeath. He...

John F Kennedy Arboretum – Mapping the Forest Research Plots

Research

As part of the JFK arboretum approximately 260 research plots were setup to help demonstrate forestry practices and guide future forestry initiatives. Work is ongoing to map and catalogue these research plots and facilitate access to the data. A GIS is being developed...

DNA Barcoding

Research

DNA barcoding has been used to test species status of living plant specimens and herbarium specimens. In a recent project in collaboration with Queen’s University, Belfast, we used DNA barcoding to help determine evidence of food fraud. Samples of ground herbs were...