Nursery Labeling Standards
ArcheWild nursery labels display precise information corresponding to our accession code database.
At ArcheWild, we go beyond standard plant labeling to provide our customers with complete confidence in their selections. Our labels include detailed information about each plant’s place of origin, the seed lot, and growing dates.
Our labels feature specialized accession codes that allow both our nursery staff and customers to access exact data about every plant.
Native Plant Accession Codes
Structured Accession Coding for Plant Traceability
At ArcheWild, we employ a structured accession coding system to label all plants propagated in our nurseries. An accession code serves as a unique identifier for a specific seed source, ensuring complete traceability of plants grown from that seed.
This system is widely utilized by government agencies for compliance purposes and by botanical gardens to meet curation standards. Increasingly, land managers also rely on accession codes to document plantings on their sites, such as state parks. These codes enable future managers to monitor plant performance and verify genetic provenance, supporting research and long-term ecological management.
ArcheWild accession codes consist of two parts, the USDA plant symbol and a unique identifier from our database.
USDA Plant Symbol
The USDA plant symbol is an acronym representing the full botanical name of a plant. We use the plant symbols determined by USDA Plants Database.
Unique Identifier
This identifier is a unique serial number for a seed source. Customers can contact us with the accession code on their tags for complete information about their plants’ genetic origin. Codes are generated and stored in our SeedSource™ database.
Native Plant Ecoregion Code
A Critical Tool for Native Plant Selection
The Ecoregion code is essential for describing a plant’s origin, its genetic lineage, and its appropriate applications in restoration or landscaping projects. Ecoregions are part of a national classification system that categorizes physiographic provinces based on unique combinations of soil, hydrology, and slope. At ArcheWild, we use these codes to precisely document the origin of our parent, seed-bearing plants.
Unlike accession codes, which are specific to individual nurseries, Ecoregion codes are standardized across the industry. This makes them a universally recognized tool, enabling seamless communication and collaboration among native plant nurseries and ecological professionals. By incorporating Ecoregion codes into our labeling, we ensure that our customers have the information needed to make informed, ecologically sound decisions.
The Importance of Ecoregion Codes in Native Plant Selection
Ecoregions represent highly specific geographic areas that differ in critical environmental factors such as soil composition, annual rainfall, seasonal freezing and drought patterns, and more. Understanding the Ecoregion provenance of plants provides professionals with valuable insight into the environmental conditions in which the seed originated. This knowledge helps landscape architects, land managers, and restoration specialists specify the genetic origin of plants, ensuring they align with the conditions and requirements of their projects.
Why “Local” Isn’t Enough
Terms like “local seed” or “local nursery” lack meaningful context in the realm of Ecoregions, genetics, and accession codes. Specifying an Ecoregion source ensures that the plants are genetically suited to the project site and helps protect indigenous populations from genetic dilution. Ecoregion-based specifications also provide assurance that seeds are not being sourced indiscriminately from internet brokers or from regions like the West Coast or Midwest, where conditions are often vastly different.
Ecoregion Codes as a Standard
Unlike vague claims of state-level provenance or partial botanical naming—common among online seed brokers—Ecoregion codes offer precise, standardized information. This level of detail supports better decision-making for plant buyers, ensuring the genetic fitness and ecological suitability of their selections.
Leading the Industry in Transparency
Few large East Coast native plant nurseries provide Ecoregion and accession information. Currently, ArcheWild, Pinelands, and Greenbelt native nurseries are among the few known to offer this capability, with ArcheWild being the only nursery to include this critical information directly on its plant tags. By doing so, ArcheWild sets the standard for transparency and reliability in native plant selection.
