Langenheim Resin Collection
Jean H. Langenheim’s research collection of plant resins was donated to The New York Botanical Garden in 2003. The collection comprises over 330 samples, and includes materials given to Langenheim, such as Nicholas T. Mirov’s Pinus resins, Joesph Bunnett’s specimens from New Zealand, and the Field Musuem’s orphaned collection. Langenheim’s specimens are vouchered in several herbaria in the U.S.A.
Microscope Slides
The extensive collection of microscope slides of different plant structures has grown through the course of botanical research at The New York Botanical Garden, and from donations. The collection mirrors the taxonomic interests and geographic specialization of past and present staff. Important components of the collection are the Bassett Maguire slides of pollen (almost 4,000) and other tissues mostly from the flora of the Guayana region; Cycads; Ericaceae, including the materials from Barbara Palser’s career; Lecythidaceae; and monocotyledons. There is also a teaching collection. The collection is housed in a modern collection storage room on compact shelving.
Liquid-Preserved Collections
Liquid-preserved collections are plants or plant parts stored in fluid-filled jars. They are used for macroscopic and microscopic observations of material that is preserved in natural 3-dimensional shape. The collection mirrors the taxonomic interests and geographic specialization of past and present staff. Important components of the collection are Bassett Maguire and collaborators specimens from the Guayana region; Cycads; Ericaceae, including the materials from Barbara Palser’s career; Lecythidaceae; and monocotyledons. There is also a collection that was developed for teaching purposes. The collection is housed in a modern collection storage room on compact shelving.
Phytochemical Research Collections
The Phytochemical Research Collections were developed during The New York Botanical Garden’s collaborative programs with the National Cancer Institute, Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company, Merck Research Laboratories to discover novel compounds with potential pharmaceutical use. The collections include a large, diverse library of vascular plant extracts (ca. 24,000), and tissue samples vouchering the extracts. All collections are have voucher specimens housed in the William and Lynda Steere Herbarium of The New York Botanical Garden.