Fern Fever

Apr 2 2019

Specimen Stories

During the 19th century, a severe case of “fern fever” swept over…


By Amy Weiss

Draw and Create Specimen Challenge

Apr 15 2020

Works of Art

Herbarium specimens are an important piece of a larger puzzle; helping people…


By Amy Weiss

People for Scale

Nov 1 2019

Specimen Stories

A picture is worth a thousand words, and sometimes it's easier to…


By Amy Weiss

Good grief, Charles Geyer

Mar 1 2019

Collectors

Charles (Karl) A. Geyer was a pioneer botanical collector of the Northwestern…


By Amy Weiss

Confetti

Dec 17 2019

Specimen Stories

No party is complete without confetti—especially when ringing in the new year.…


By Amy Weiss

Autumnal

Sep 23 2019

Works of Art

Grab a warm beverage and your favorite sweater—the colors on these specimens evoke…


By Amy Weiss

Springtime with Peter Zika

Apr 18 2019

Specimen Stories

If seasonal allergies or the depths of winter have got you down,…


By Amy Weiss

It's not easy being green

May 16 2019

Works of Art

People might pass over these green specimens 'cause they're not standing out…


By Amy Weiss

True blue

Jun 10 2019

Works of Art

Sometimes, out of the blue, you come across a true blue specimen.


By Amy Weiss

On Wednesdays, we wear pink

Apr 24 2019

Works of Art

You don't have to be a mean girl to appreciate these pink…


By Amy Weiss

Purple Reign

Jan 30 2020

Works of Art

Plants, algae, and fungi can be found in a wide range of…


By Amy Weiss

Season it with Leaves

Jul 14 2022

Specimen Stories

Culinary herbs are plants with aromatic properties and that are used for…


By Amy Weiss

Label Appreciation: Rainbow of colors

Jun 1 2021

Labels are as important to a herbarium specimen as the plant, algae, or…


By Amy Weiss

What is a type specimen?

Mar 6 2019

What's in a name?

When a researcher names a new species (or other taxon) of algae,…


By Amy Weiss

Typical: Hibiscadelphus stellatus

Mar 5 2019

Specimen Stories

This type specimen is like a postcard from Hawaii reading "Wish you…


By Amy Weiss

For the duration: Segregation and annotation of type…

Apr 25 2025

This is the third part of  For the Duration. To start at…


By Amy Weiss

For the duration: Beyond NYBG, the safekeeping of…

Apr 25 2025

This is the second part of  For the Duration. To read about…


By Amy Weiss

For the duration: The safekeeping of American herbaria…

Apr 25 2025

Specimen Stories

The bombing of the military complex at Pearl Harbor, on December 7,…


By Amy Weiss

Deck the halls

Nov 19 2019

Specimen Stories

Need some boughs of holly to deck your halls this season? We've…


By Amy Weiss

Aquatic Hitchhikers

Sep 26 2019

Specimen Stories

Although all plants need some water to grow, aquatic plants have adapted…


By Amy Weiss

Firewood and pathogens

Sep 26 2019

Specimen Stories

As plants travel the world with people, these plants can bring along…


By Amy Weiss

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