Seed banking of Calyptrochilum aurantiacum in Yaoundé (Cameroon). In 2017, an ex situ conservation programme was initiated to support the long term preservation of C. aurantiacum. A Due to the small size of the flowers, manual pollination has been performed under a stereomicroscope. B Fruit development and maturation takes place in a shadehouse established in Yaoundé. C Finally, viable seeds have been harvested and conserved in the freezer (-20°C). Before being preserved at low temperature, seed viability is assessed using the tetrazolium test (red colouration of living embryo). Photographs A and C by V. Droissart, B by Gyslène Kamdem.

 
 
  Part of: Simo-Droissart M, Stévart T, Sonké B, Mayogo S, Kamdem N, Droissart V (2018) New taxonomic and conservation status of Ossiculum (Vandeae, Orchidaceae), a highly threatened and narrow-endemic angraecoid orchid from Central Africa. PhytoKeys 98: 85-97. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.98.23511