Useful Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About the Geofit Research Center
What is the Geofit Research Center in Yalova?
It is a specialist plant conservation and research center within the Atatürk Horticultural Central Research Institute,
focused on geophytes such as bulbous, tuberous, corm-forming and rhizomatous plants.
What does “geofit” mean?
“Geofit” is the Turkish form of “geophyte,” a plant that survives unfavourable seasons through an underground storage organ such as a bulb, corm, tuber or rhizome.
When did the Yalova Geofit Research Center open?
The purpose-built geophyte garden officially opened on 19 December 2014.
Is it really Türkiye's first geophyte center?
Official and municipal sources describe Yalova's facility as Türkiye's first specialist geophyte garden / research center of its kind.
How many plants are kept there?
Current institutional summaries commonly refer to approximately 100,000 living plants in the collection.
How many species does the collection contain?
Current descriptions generally give a figure of around 1,000–1,100 species.
Exact counts can change as taxonomy and the living collection are updated.
How many endemic species are represented?
Current Yalova municipal information states that more than 450 endemic species are protected within the wider collection.
What is special about the Alpine greenhouse?
It recreates environmental conditions needed by high-altitude plants using controls for temperature, humidity, light and mist.
Yalova municipal information describes it as Türkiye's first Alpine greenhouse.
Is the center only a tourist garden?
No.
It is an active scientific facility used for conservation, taxonomy, cultivation, propagation, breeding and other plant research.
What research is carried out there?
Research associated with the collection includes taxonomy, cultivation, propagation, breeding, phytochemical studies and molecular or morphological characterization.
Why were plants collected from across Türkiye?
The goal was to document and conserve Türkiye's geophyte diversity,
create a scientific living collection and develop sustainable cultivation and breeding methods.
How much fieldwork was involved?
Project summaries commonly describe approximately 350,000 kilometres of nationwide field travel during the long-term collection program.
Does the center protect rare plants?
Yes.
Rare and endemic plants are an important part of the collection,
and the center has also received plant material confiscated during illegal collection or attempted smuggling cases.
Is the Geofit Research Center a gene bank?
It functions as a living conservation collection with gene-bank characteristics,
maintaining plant genetic resources under controlled ex-situ conditions.
Is there an entrance fee?
Current Yalova tourism information lists free admission,
but visitor procedures should be confirmed before travelling.
What are the opening hours?
Current Yalova tourism information reports Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday visits at approximately
08:30–12:30 and 13:30–17:30.
Because the site is an active research institute, confirm directly before your visit.
Why is Tuesday sometimes missing from the visitor schedule?
Public visitor arrangements are controlled by the research institute and can differ from normal museum schedules.
Do not assume weekday access without checking current information.
What is the best month to visit?
April and May are generally excellent for spring flowering,
but the collection contains species with many different seasonal cycles, including important autumn-flowering geophytes.
Will everything be flowering when I visit?
No.
Geophytes have strong seasonal dormancy cycles, so many species may be underground or not in flower at any given time.
Can children visit?
Yes.
The center is used as an educational resource for biodiversity and plant science,
but children should remain supervised and must not touch or damage collection material.
Do school groups need an appointment?
Advance arrangements are strongly recommended for school groups so that entry, guidance and group movement can be coordinated with institute activity.
Can I take photographs?
General visitor photography may be possible in permitted areas,
but professional equipment, tripods or photography in working research zones should be cleared with staff first.
Can I collect seeds or bulbs?
No.
Do not remove any plant material, seeds, bulbs, leaves or labels from the collection.
Is the center wheelchair accessible?
Educational information lists accessible facilities,
but visitors with mobility needs should confirm the current step-free visitor route and greenhouse access before travelling.
What is the “Türkiye Geofitleri” book?
It is a three-volume illustrated scientific publication produced from the long-term national geophyte project,
documenting Türkiye's geophyte diversity with extensive descriptions and photography.
Is the Geofit Research Center worth visiting if I am not a botanist?
Yes.
The greenhouses, seasonal flowers and conservation story can be interesting even without specialist knowledge,
especially if you enjoy gardens, photography, nature or environmental topics.