Sampling a whole flora or any significant subset for ex situ conservation purposes is a complex, long-term proposition. Thus, it is important to consider what constitutes an adequate sample not only for all taxa as a whole but also for each taxon individually as well as how to strategically schedule collection over time. There are five basic sampling questions: from which species to collect, from how many and which populations, from how many and which individuals, how many and what kind of propagules to collect, and, finally, at what point is the desired sample size too great for a population to bear in one year? There is no single correct sampling strategy or protocol. Each situation must be evaluated in the context of the particular purposes, goals, and uses for which the collection is being made as well as the nature of the sampling universe, the manner in which the samples will be stored and maintained, the period of time they will be stored, and whether the wild-collected samples are to be used direc...