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The Ornamental Plant Germplasm Center (OPGC) is part of the National Plant Germplasm System, a network of organizations and people dedicated to preserving the genetic diversity of crop plants.

The OPGC is a joint effort of the USDA-ARS and The Ohio State University's Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. Financial support is provided through the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative of the ARS.

Mission and Goals

Our mission is to conserve genetically-diverse herbaceous plant germplasm and associated information, conduct germplasm-related research, and encourage the use of germplasm and associated information for research, crop improvement and product development.   

Our goals are to acquire, document, maintain, characterize and distribute herbaceous ornamental genetic resources and associated information for conservation, and to enhance scientific research as well as the floriculture and nursery industry. 

News

  1. We Grow Scientists!

    May 5, 2025

    OPGC staff and students participated in the third annual "We Grow Scientists" community outreach event organized by the Ohio State University College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) on April 30, 2025. This event, part of the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) week-long Science Festival, showcased the many STEM educational opportunities offered by CFAES.

  2. HCS 3320 Plant Propagation Students Tour the OPGC

    Apr 3, 2025

    On March 25, 2025, students inrolled in Plant Propagation HCS 3320 at The Ohio State University toured the OPGC laboratory and greenhouses.  Each student received hands-on training in sterile technique while subculturing a Pelargonium or Begonia accession, which they were able to take home.

  3. Dublin Coffman High School Students Tour the OPGC

    Feb 28, 2025

    Thirty students from Dublin Coffman High School toured the OPGC on February 26.  Students learned about many aspects of germplasm conservation including using bumblebees for seed production, seed cleaning and x-rays, tissue culture, and more!  Students were given the opportunity to take and pot up cuttings of geraniums and begonias to take home and root, along with a gift bag including information about the germplasm system.

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