One of a botanical garden's responsibilities is to serve as the official repository safeguarding and championing specific rare/endangered species. MHBG has not yet taken on any such formal obligations, but we anticipate assuming this role for a number of species in the future. These will probably include Matelea floridana and Callirhoe papaver, both of which are characteristic of the red oak woods.

We also plan to incorporate as many endangered species as possible into the garden so that natural area inventory and management trainees can better learn to recognize them in the field.