Donating Seed

Donating Seed

The Lilium Species Foundation (LSF) Seed Bank depends on seed donations from members and contributors. If your growing conditions allow you to collect seed responsibly, we encourage you to do so and to consider donating seed to the LSF Seed Bank.

Donating seed benefits the broader LSF community by allowing members, researchers, and conservation growers to study and cultivate lily species and lineages that may otherwise be difficult to obtain. Growing lilies from seed supports education, preserves genetic diversity, and reduces pressure on wild populations.

Regardless of intent, a plant experiences seed collection as seed predation. Considerable biological resources are invested in producing seed, and seed represents a plant’s primary means of reproduction and long-term survival. Removing all, or even most, of the seed from an individual plant or population directly reduces its ability to regenerate and persist.

Every seed removed is a potential future plant and, more importantly, a unique contribution to the genetic diversity that underpins population resilience and adaptability. Genetic diversity is essential for resistance to disease, environmental change, and long-term viability.

For this reason, seed collection must always be conservative. A single seed pod may contain hundreds of seeds, far more than any responsible collector requires. There is no ethical or conservation-based justification for removing the majority of seed from a plant or population. Collectors should take only what is reasonably needed and leave the overwhelming majority of seed to fulfill its natural role in sustaining the population.

Source of Seed

LSF accepts seed that meets the following general standards:

Seed should come from plants grown in cultivation, from documented collections, or from seed that was collected legally and with appropriate permission or permits. The Lilium Species Foundation discourages the collection of wild seed except where it is lawfully permitted, and ethical guidlines are followed (E.g. do not take more than 1/3 of the seed from any location. Never take seed from a single individaul. , and conservation-justified.

Seed from rare, threatened, or protected species may be subject to additional legal restrictions, particularly for international shipment. Donors are responsible for ensuring that all applicable regulations are followed.

International Donors

Members and contributors outside the United States should be aware that international seed shipments may require permits, inspection, and specific packaging standards, depending on country of origin and destination. Seeds must be clean and free of plant debris.

Before sending seed internationally, donors should contact the LSF Seed Bank coordinator to confirm current requirements and obtain any necessary documentation or instructions. In some cases, permits and mailing labels must be issued in advance.

Donors Within the United States

U.S.-based donors will be provided with current mailing instructions by the LSF Seed Bank coordinator. Packaging guidance may change in response to postal regulations, so donors are encouraged to confirm shipping methods before sending seed.

Using padded envelopes is recommended to protect seed from damage during transit.

Seed Preparation and Handling

Proper preparation of donated seed is appreciated and helps ensure long-term viability and usability.

Seed should be fully mature, dry, and packaged in paper envelopes, which allow moisture to escape and reduce the risk of mold. Plastic containers should be avoided for direct seed storage unless used only as outer protection during shipment.

Seed should be cleaned of chaff and plant material whenever possible. Removing excess debris reduces the risk of mold during storage and is often required for international seed movement. Simple sieves or screens are effective tools for cleaning seed.

Each seed packet should be clearly labeled with the following information whenever possible:

  • Name of the collector and membership number (if applicable)

  • Species name or best available identification

  • Date of collection

  • Location information, such as GPS coordinates when available, or alternatively altitude/elevation, state or province, county, or equivalent regional descriptor

  • Source of the seed (for example: captive bred (CB), garden-origin (GO), wild collected (WC), documented origin, etc.)

  • Special notes, including habitat description, collection context (such as rescue or salvage), or noteworthy genetic or phenotypic traits location, rescuced from..., rare genotype/phentype, etc.)

Accurate labeling greatly increases the scientific and conservation value of the donation.

Printable seed collection template.

LILIUM SPECIES FOUNDATION — SEED BANK (copy & paste)

Collector Name:
Membership # (if applicable):

Species / Best Identification:

Date Collected:

Location:
(GPS preferred; otherwise state/province, county, locality)

Elevation / Altitude:

Source:
*(Captive bred (CB) / garden-origin (GO) / wild collected (WC) documented origin / open pollination (OP) / selected pollination (SP) / other)

Special Notes:
(habitat, rescue/salvage, rare genotype or phenotype, etc.)

*Definitions and Terminology

  • Captive-bred (CB) refers to plants that are bred and maintained in a controlled environment—such as a greenhouse, poly house, shade house, or similar facility, specifically for the purpose of seed production. Measures are typically taken to manage growing conditions and, where applicable, pollination.

  • Garden origin (GO) refers to plants grown in an outdoor or mixed-use garden setting without specific measures to control pollination or isolate plants from nearby lilies. Seed from garden-origin plants may involve unintended crosses if multiple compatible taxa are present.

  • Wild-collected (WC) refers to seed collected from plants growing in their natural habitat. Such seed must be collected legally, ethically, and conservatively, and is often subject to additional restrictions due to conservation, permitting, or provenance concerns.

  • Open pollination (OP) describes seed produced through uncontrolled pollination, where pollen transfer occurs naturally via insects, wind, or other vectors, and the pollen parent is not definitively known.

  • Selected pollination (SP) refers to intentional, controlled breeding, in which specific parent plants are chosen and steps are taken to prevent cross-pollination with other species or genetic lines. This may include physical isolation, bagging of flowers, hand pollination, or temporal separation of flowering. Selected pollination is used to maintain genetic purity or document specific crosses.

More than one of these criteria may apply.

Government Agencies, Permits, and Applicable U.S. Laws

When importing plant seed into the United States, including seed destined for the Lilium Species Foundation (LSF) Seed Bank, several federal agencies and laws may be involved. These agencies administer permits, enforce regulations, and oversee compliance to protect agriculture, native ecosystems, and internationally protected species.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is the primary federal agency responsible for regulating the importation of plants, seeds, and plant products to prevent the introduction of harmful pests, diseases, and invasive organisms. APHIS manages permits and inspections related to plant health and quarantine.

Key points and resources:

  • Import permit applications (including the PPQ 587 small-lot seed permit) are handled through the APHIS eFile system, the official online portal for submitting and managing permits, registrations, and authorizations.

  • Definitions of regulated plant materials and what requires a permit can be found in APHIS’s guidance on “What Plant Material Requires a Permit?”

  • APHIS also administers rules for endangered or protected plants regulated under international agreements like CITES and the U.S. Endangered Species Act when those plants or seeds are imported.

Helpful links:

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) plays a role in regulating protected species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and international conservation agreements such as CITES. CITES-covered plant species and seeds may require additional permits for import and export beyond general USDA/APHIS requirements.

Key authorities:

  • ESA (Endangered Species Act), prohibits unlawful “take,” import, export, and interstate commerce of listed species without specific authorization. The statute is administered jointly by FWS and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, with most terrestrial plant species falling under FWS jurisdiction.

  • CITES permits, FWS issues export and re-export permits for CITES-listed plants leaving the U.S., and import permits for wild-collected CITES Appendix I species.

Helpful link:

Applicable U.S. Laws and Regulatory Frameworks

A number of federal laws form the legal basis for regulating seed importation, conservation, and interstate commerce. These include:

  • Plant Protection Act (PPA), grants USDA/APHIS authority to regulate the import, export, and interstate movement of plant pests, noxious weeds, and other regulated articles to safeguard U.S. agricultural and natural resources. Permits like PPQ 587 and related regulations are enacted under this authority.

  • Federal Seed Act (FSA), regulates interstate and foreign commerce of seeds, including requirements for accurate labeling and prohibitions on misbranded or adulterated seed. Although it primarily governs commercial seed trade, its import provisions influence how seed shipments are documented and inspected.

  • Endangered Species Act (ESA), protects species listed as threatened or endangered, including plants, by regulating their importation, exportation, and interstate movement unless specific permits are issued.

  • Lacey Act — prohibits the import, export, transportation, sale, or possession of plants and wildlife taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any U.S., tribal, or foreign law, thereby reinforcing compliance with conservation and trade statutes.

Where to Find More Information

Consultation with the LSF Seed Bank coordinator can help navigate permit requirements before sending international seed donations.

Storage Before Shipment

Most lily seed benefits from being stored cool and dry after collection and cleaning. Refrigerated storage is generally appropriate once seed has dried, especially if there will be any delay before shipment. Seed should be sent to the Seed Bank as soon as reasonably possible after collection.

Pollination Considerations

Donors are encouraged to be mindful of pollination. Some lilies self-pollinate readily, while others benefit from cross-pollination between genetically distinct plants. Where controlled pollination is practiced, careful labeling is especially important. Maintaining genetic clarity strengthens the conservation value of Seed Bank material.

Guiding Principle

The LSF Seed Bank exists to support education, conservation, and ethical cultivation. Seed donations are a tangible way members and contributors can help preserve lily diversity and support long-term stewardship of the genus Lilium.