Observer member | Joined: November 6, 2025
Meise Botanic Garden
Meise Botanic Garden, founded in the late 18th century, is one of the oldest botanical institutions in the world. It houses extensive collections, such as a 4-million-specimen herbarium and a vast botanical library. The Garden conserves around 22,000 living plant species, including rare and threatened ones, and maintains an internationally recognised seed bank. Its scientists conduct global research on plant, fungal, and algal diversity. The Garden also plays a key educational role, welcoming around 250,000 visitors annually and promoting public awareness of plant diversity and conservation.

Molecular collection

Collection of DNA extracts, mainly based on specimens from the Meise Botanic Garden herbarium. Currently, the collection houses around 20,000 DNA extracts in -20°C and -80°C freezers.

Contacts

Primary Contact
Frederik Leliaert
frederik.leliaert@meisebotanicgarden.be
Nieuwelaan 38
1860 Meise
Belgium
Sample Requests
Curator
curator@meisebotanicgarden.be
Nieuwelaan 38
1860 Meise
Belgium
Sample Requests
Wim Baert
wim.baert@meisebotanicgarden.be
Nieuwelaan 38
1860 Meise
Belgium

Institution Type

Botanic garden, Herbarium, Research institute

Collection Type

Taxonomic

Collection Size

20000 DNA extracts

Collection Coverage

Kingdoms: Plantae
Taxa: N/A

Usage restrictions

Depending on sample and complying with regulations.

Access rights

Open to the public.

Curation details

Development Status: Active growth
Preservation methods: Frozen
Known to contain types: No

McGinley Conservation statuses

Level 4: Material identified to species level but not incorporated into main collection (e.g., material identified for biodiversity or ecological studies, surveys, etc.).
Date: 2026-04-28

Institution Codes

Acronym: BR, MeiseBG
CITES: BE 003

No reports available for this institution yet.