John Torrey
John Torrey (1796-1873) is considered one of the most influential American botanists…
John Torrey on Gray's Peak
In 1861 Charles Parry was the first explorer to ascend Gray's Peak…
John Torrey’s Trip to California and Colorado, 1872
In July of 1872, John Torrey and his daughter Margaret departed on…
Josephine Elizabeth Tilden
Josephine Elizabeth Tilden (1869-1957) was one of few women allowed a faculty…
Journey of the US Exploring Expedition (1838-1842)
One of the earliest and most impactful scientific expeditions led by the…
July in the Native Plant Garden
The Native Plant Garden is looking lovely right now! Some plants that…
Kate Furbish and the Flora of Maine
Catherine Furbish was born in 1834 in Exeter, New Hampshire. From an…
Kauai Digit Fern
The Kauai Digit Fern, or Doryopteris angelica, is a rare fern found in the forest on…
Koʻoloaʻula
This Federally Endangered Hibiscus relative with bright red flowers is endemic to…
Label Appreciation: Borders
Labels are as important to a herbarium specimen as the plant, alga, or…
Label Appreciation: Favorites
Labels are as important to a herbarium specimen as the plant, alga, or…
Lace Algae
Many of the red algae are incredibly delicate and beautiful, as exemplified…
Lavender
Lavender has been used in traditional medicine for centuries for its soothing…
Learning from Extinct Plants
Specimen StoriesFocus on Science
From the woolly mammoth to the passenger pigeon, many extinct species owe…
Leaves of three, let it be!
If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you surely have heard the age-old…
Lettuce Lichen
Similar to the Old Man’s Beard, Lungwort lichens can only thrive in…
Lichenicolous Fungi
Composed of different species each playing a different role, a lichen can…
Life in Slot Canyons
Cabinet of CuriositiesExpeditions
Slot canyons are deep channels eroded into rock. They are often ten…
Love Potions & Charms
Love potions and charms are mentioned countless times throughout literature; from ancient…
Madagascar periwinkle
Commonly known as Madagascar periwinkle, this member of the dogbane family has…
Maize & Teosinte
Maize (Zea mays), or corn, is a domesticated cereal crop native to…
Marantaceae, Arrowroot family
Marantaceae, the Arrowroot family, is thought to have originated in Africa, though much of…
Mary Agnes Chase: Mentor, Activist, Botanist
Mary Agnes Chase was a self educated, determined, and influential botanist. Early…
Mary Emily Eaton
Mary Emily Eaton was an accomplished natural history illustrator employed at the…
Mary Treat
Those who have read Barbara Kingsolver's newest novel, Unsheltered, will be familiar with the…
Meet Spiranthes bightensis: A New Orchid in Our…
Focus on ScienceSpecimen Stories
Botanists have probably described and named 99% of the plants native to…