The importance of living collections for botanical research: Araceae as a case study

Botanical gardens play a crucial role in botanical research by maintaining living collections of plants that serve educational and scientific purposes. This article examines the significance of living collections, using the Araceae family as a case study. Botanical gardens worldwide house diverse collections that contribute to studies in systematics, taxonomy, anatomy, morphology, floral biology, pollination ecology, phytochemistry, and medicine. The Araceae family, with its extensive diversity and distribution, provides an excellent model for comparative studies. Historical and contemporary research has utilized these collections to advance knowledge in specific areas. For instance, molecular systematics has benefited from these collections, as have studies on calcium oxalate crystal production, floral anatomy and development, pollen–ovule ratios, pollen viability, seed size and growth type, thermogenesis, and pollination syndromes. The article highlights the indispensable role of living collections in facilitating research that would be challenging to conduct solely in the field. It underscores the need for continued investment in botanical gardens to preserve their scientific and educational value, and outlines future research opportunities that living collections can offer.