Franklinia alatamaha (Theaceae) is a monotypic genus, believed to be extinct in the wild since 1803. It exists solely as ex situ cultivated specimens. A thorough literature review including primary sources, previously unrecognized publications, and current studies in the field, provides a number of possible answers towards the ongoing debate over the species origins and causes of its extirpation. In addition, a complete micropropagation system for the production of axenic shoot cultures and fully rooted potted plantlets was developed. A variety of plant growth regulator (PGR) combinations, as well as explant sources, were tested for the initiation of both dormant and active shoot cultures. The influence of gibberellic acid (GA3) and various chelating compounds were tested for their applicability toward in vitro propagation. Finally a variety of treatments were tested for their effect on rooting the previously cultured shoots in vitro prior to hardening off.