美国苦苣苔科协会（The Gesneriad Society）是一个全志愿者的国际非营利组织，致力于苦苣苔科植物（gesneriads）的鉴定、栽培、繁殖与保护，同时鼓励物种和品种的引进与保存。协会成立于1951年，由当时年仅14岁的Elvin McDonald创办，1964年更名为美国苦苣苔与苦苣苔科协会，2006年简化为现名，目前正值75周年钻石纪念期。苦苣苔科共有超过3,400种，其中最著名的是非洲紫罗兰（Saintpaulia）。
会刊与资源共享
协会出版《Gesneriads》季刊，每年发行四期，包含最新研究、栽培技术、展览信息及行业动态。会员还可免费订阅电子杂志《Gleanings》，以及访问全球最大的苦苣苔科植物在线参考资料站——由Ron Myhr创建、协会托管的Gesneriad Reference Web（www.gesneriads.info）。协会的种子基金为会员提供稀有苦苣苔科植物种子的捐赠与获取渠道。
品种注册与国际标准
协会承担国际苦苣苔科植物品种注册职能，负责管理全球范围内新品种的正式命名与记录，确保品种信息的规范与准确。
年度展览与大会
协会每年举办花展与大会，为全球爱好者提供学习、交流与展示的平台，活动包括展览评比、专家讲座和栽培工作坊。协会在美国和加拿大设有多个地方分会，定期举办植物展销活动。
研究基金与保护工作
协会设有多个研究基金，包括Elvin McDonald研究基金和Frances Batcheller基金，支持苦苣苔科植物的科学研究与濒危物种保护工作。协会由志愿者运营，现任会长为Winston Goretsky，董事会成员来自美国各州及加拿大。
官方网站：https://www.gesneriadsociety.org
The Gesneriad Society
The Gesneriad Society is an all-volunteer international nonprofit organization devoted to the identification, culture, propagation, and conservation of gesneriads. Founded in 1951 by 14-year-old Elvin McDonald, the Society was renamed to American Gloxinia and Gesneriad Society in 1964 and simplified to The Gesneriad Society in 2006. Currently celebrating its 75th Diamond Anniversary, the organization oversees the International Cultivar Registration for gesneriads and operates the Gesneriad Reference Web (www.gesneriads.info), the largest online gesneriad resource. The Gesneriad Family contains over 3,400 species, with the African violet (Saintpaulia) being the most widely recognized.
Publications and Seed Fund
The Society publishes the quarterly journal Gesneriads, with four issues per year covering research, cultivation techniques, and exhibition news. Members also receive the monthly e-zine Gleanings and access the Seed Fund for rare gesneriad seeds.
Annual Conventions and Chapters
Annual flower shows and conventions provide platforms for learning, networking, and showcasing plants, featuring competitive exhibitions, expert lectures, and hands-on workshops. The Society maintains chapters across the United States and Canada hosting regular plant sales and events.
Research Grants and Conservation
Research grants including the Elvin McDonald Research Endowment Fund and Frances Batcheller Endowment Fund support scientific studies and conservation of endangered gesneriad species. The all-volunteer organization is led by President Winston Goretsky with Board Directors from across the U.S. and Canada.
Official Website: https://www.gesneriadsociety.org
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