A World of Tulips
Tulip bulbs that have been tucked safely underground all winter are springing…
Exploring the Conservation Status of Jamaican Root Tonic…
Jamaican root tonics are fermented beverages composed of roots, bark, and other…
Sticky Rice
Focus on ScienceWhat's in a name?
A couple of years ago I was asked by Michael Purugganan (Dean…
Octopodotus stupendus
Octopodotus from octopus and the Greek suffix–otus, indicating resemblance, because of the…
Mystery Tree of Rondônia
In September 2019 I went to Rondônia state in Brazil in the…
Modern Art
Herbarium specimens play an important part in plant science research. But the specimens themselves can…
Arthonia stevensoniana
Arthonia etymology unknown stevensoniana from Stevenson, honoring Robert Louis Stevenson, author of…
Label Appreciation: Borders
Labels are as important to a herbarium specimen as the plant, alga, or…
Greetings from Camp
Even if you have never attended a sleepaway summer camp, chances are you've gotten a…
Rainbow of Plant Dyes
People have been dyeing their clothing with plants since ancient times. All around…
Traditional Medicine: Momordica charantia
Momordica charantia L. is a plant species that is used in the…
The Sacred Plant of Peru: The San Pedro…
For thousands of years, the indigenous people of Peruvian Amazon have used…
The Three Sisters
Companion planting is the technique of growing plants closely together for mutual…
Extraordinary Oak Leaves
Cabinet of CuriositiesSpecimen Stories
Oak trees are a familiar sight to people all around the world,…
Creepy Cultivars
The word "cultivar" is a blend of the words "cultivated" and "variety".…
Brown and Beautiful
Whether naturally brown, or turning brown during the preservation steps needed to create herbarium…
Flora Borinqueña
In February 1906, Nathaniel and Elizabeth Britton, founders of The New York…
"Posy" Dodge, an Exemplary Citizen Scientist
In an age of growing efforts to engage the public in research…
Conifers and Mistletoes
Evergreen trees and mistletoe both come to mind when we decorate with holiday…
Reindeer Lichens
In this most wonderful time of the year, Christmas is naturally on…
Thomas Gaither - Activist and Biologist
Dr. Thomas Walter Gaither (1938 - ) was born in Great Falls, South…
Rooted in Plants: An Interview with Arvolyn Hill
Arvolyn Hill is the Family Programs Coordinator at the Everett Children’s Adventure…
Sister Mary Clare Metz: Faith and Flora
While digitizing specimens for the Texas and Oklahoma Regional Consortium of Herbaria,…