Two members of the Theaceae family, Stewartia and Franklinia, are highly valued because of their rarity and prized ornamental value. Two genera of Stewartia and Franklinia are endemic to the Southeastern US, however Franklinia is extinct in the wild and Stewartia is limited to fewer than 40 native populations. Franklinia, Franklinia alatamaha, was discovered by the naturalists John and William Bartram in 1765 while traveling through the southeastern U.S. on an ecological expedition. On another excursion in 1773, William collected seeds and brought them back to his hometown of Philadelphia where he cultivated Franklinia on his estate. No one has seen the Franklinia tree in the wild since 1803. Today, Franklinia only exists in cultivation. The exquisite ornamental characteristics of Franklinia, along with its intriguing botanical history and discovery, has made it a coveted tree in landscapes, botanical gardens, arboretums, and in private ornamental collections. For Franklinia to ever be introduced back in the wild, it will need to be determined whether there exists any genetic diversity in the cultivated populations worldwide. Molecular techniques can be employed to determine if there are any genetic differences among samples. One method of genetic diversity analysis is the use of genotype by sequencing (GBS). DNA contains regions where there are single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) throughout the genome which can be used to perform genotyping studies. Differences in these SNPs can be detected by genomic sequencing. If the genetic analysis does not show any differences in these SNPs among the samples then genetic variation will need to be introduced into the cultivated population of Franklinia by mutation breeding techniques such as the use of gamma radiation to induce genetic mutations. Because of the rarity of both Stewartia and Franklinia, an in vitro micropropagation system will be necessary to produce plants for ornamental and mutation breeding purposes, and for long-term cryopreservation of genetically valuable germplasm. Having a reliable cryopreservation method allows for germplasm to be banked for future studies. It also provides a way of producing plants that can be re-introduced to the wild and for continued cultivation in the ornamental horticulture industry.