Kew Garden

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Kew Garden
Research
Julie Borris
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Table of Contents

• Brief History on Kew Gardens
• Research on major groups, families, and Genera
• Poaceae
• Fern research
• Fungi research

• Current research on Orchids

• References

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Poaceae (Gramineae)
The family Poaceae, is apart of the grass family.
As of today there are about 10,000 species and
660 genera. Kew has collected over 350,000
specimens from all over the world. Kew does
regional studies in South America, South-west
Asia, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Also, they
are doing research on Sino-Himalayan
bamboos. There are two databases that hold
information on the worlds grasses World Grass
Species Database-has descriptions on 90 of the
worlds grasses World Grass Species Synonym
Database-provides the nomenclature for the
grasses
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Fungi Research
Each year over 4,000 specimens are received at
Kew from more than 30 countries around the world
for expert determination.  Kew mycologists have
pioneered research into tropical and equatorial
fungi from the Amazon to Australia, working in
collaboration with overseas research institutes
and universities. Following our move to more
spacious premises, we can also offer improved
research facilities for mycological visitors from
abroad. 
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Fern Research
There are approximately 11,000 species of ferns
(arranged within 318 genera and 36 families at
Kew) and 1,200 fern-allies (in 10 genera with
five families). They are descended from relatives
dating back almost 400 million years. Recent
research has shown that they are very nutritious.
In the Old World tropics ferns are widely used
in traditional societies as a source of
vegetables in the diet of village people. Up to
16 species of ferns are eaten in traditional
communities in Sarawak, most gathered from the
forests. A herbarium collection from Brunei
Darusalam, made in the mid-1930s, records that
plants of Helminthostachys zeylanica were
collected for sale to be exported to use in China
as a medicinal plant. Examination of the records
compiled by Perry and Metzger (1980) show that
this species is an important village medicine
with a decoction being used to treat boils and
ulcers.
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Orchid Research
Orchids have been cultivated for over 2 centuries
John Lindley, who is known as the father of
orchid taxonomy, collected more than 7,000
specimens of orchids.
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Kew has many amazing resources on orchids. The
oldest and one of the most diverse living
collections in the world. The largest and most
comprehensive orchid herbarium, numbering about
400,000 preserved specimens. The orchid
herbarium includes the John Lindley Herbarium,
which contains about 7,000 specimens. Lindley is
considered the Father of Orchid Science and his
herbarium represents the foundation of all orchid
systematics. The largest spirit collection of
orchid flowers, numbering over 32,000
specimens. Extensive collections of anatomy,
cytology and DNA samples of orchids. The Kew DNA
Bank already contains 4225 orchid accessions,
which represent about 2500 species, and
population-level DNA samples of more than 20
species. A broad-based team of orchid
researchers covering a suite of disciplines that
allow multi-disciplinary approaches to
classification, phylogeny, higher level
systematics, conservation and horticulture. A
world-wide network of collaborators, with Kew
acting as a centre for orchid research.
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References
http//www.rbgkew.org.uk/scihort/compositae.html