This article tells the story of this magnificent summer-flowering tree and John Bartram's discovery of it in 1765 in Georgia. Named after Benjamin Franklin, the Franklinia is today extinct in the wild and reputedly all of today's specimens across America and Europe derive from the seedlings that Bartram's son William grew in their nursery just outside Philadelphia.
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Call for Specimens:
The Florida Museum of Natural History is conducting a survey to establish if all Franklinia are descended from William Bartram’s tree. They are asking gardeners in the USA and Europe to send samples for DNA identification. If you can spare material and would like to help, place one to three fresh leaves in 80-100g of silica gel desiccant (granules) in a plastic zip-lock bag, together with information of the location, date of harvest, and any other data about the specimen, a photograph and contact details. Send in a padded envelop to Charlotte M. Porter at the Florida Museum of Natural History, P. O. Box 117800, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, United States.
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