The primary objective of this study is to identify North American azaleas present in the Whipple Azalea Garden on Taylor University’s campus (Dr. Justice, 2024). The North American azalea is a subspecies of the Rhododendron genus. In this study, we will analyze three different samples of azaleas. Sample DNA profiles can only be obtained via DNA barcoding. DNA barcoding uses a segment of the complete genome to identify a species (DeSalle & Goldstein, 2019). The DNA barcoding method is necessary to identify azalea subspecies as they cannot be differentiated based solely on phenotype. By comparing the DNA profiles of the samples to known North American azalea genome sequences, we aim to confirm the identification of the azalea subspecies in the garden. We will use information from the genetic reference database established through Rhododendron taxonomy to aid in the identification of samples (Liu et al., 2021). We seek to not only identify North American azalea samples at Taylor University but also contribute to the broader understanding of Rhododendron biodiversity and conservation.

Creator

• Boezeman, Rylie

• Stewart, Kaitlin

Language

• English

Keyword

• North American azalea

• Whipple Azalea Garden

• Taylor University

• Rhododendron

• DNA barcoding

• sample identification

• biodiversity

• conservation

Date created

• 2024

Resource type

• Poster

Rights statement

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/