The OIC is a recognized organ of the American Orchid Society for identifying species orchids or for confirming identities of orchids that win show awards. It provides more than 1,000 determinations annually to institutions and individuals from around the world. The OIC has amassed a collection of more than 20,000 taxonomic reference files, a collection of photographs, and 17,000 spirit preserved specimens. The OIC has particular strengths in collections from Mexico, Central and Andean South America and Venezuela. The publication of identification manuals on the orchids of Costa Rica is currently underway, with funding from the National Science Foundation.
Research leading to a monograph of the genus Maxillaria is also in progress.
This Center was established in 1979 to honor one of the world's leading bromeliad collectors. It is supported by local, national, and international bromeliad societies. The goal of the BIC is to serve as a source of information for individuals, institutions, and societies on horticultural and botanical aspects of the Bromeliaceae. Taxonomic files are maintained for over 2,800 species, genera, and subfamilies. In addition, more than 2,000 photographic slides add to the resources available.