Fern Fever

Apr 2 2019

Specimen Stories

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


By Amy Weiss

Fire Island: Preserving a Unique Ecological & Cultural…

May 28 2021

ExpeditionsSpecimen Stories

On a geological time scale, barrier islands are by definition impermanent, ever-changing,…


By McKenna Coyle

Firewood and pathogens

Sep 26 2019

Specimen Stories

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


By Amy Weiss

Fleshy Fruits

Nov 8 2022

In addition to being eaten straight from the tree or shrub, many…


By Emily B. Sessa

Floating Flowers

Aug 15 2019

Works of Art

If you're staying cool this summer in your favorite swimming hole, here are…


By Nicole Tarnowsky

Floral Fireworks

Jul 1 2019

Specimen Stories

When fireworks are needed, no matter the reason, these herbarium specimens will help…


By Amy Weiss

Follow a 1910 Botanical Expedition through Western Cuba

Apr 22 2021

Expeditions

The United States entered the Spanish American War in April of 1898.…


By Dr. Emily Sessions

Fruit-eating lemurs

Sep 26 2019

Specimen Stories

Given the abundance of tasty fruit, it is clear that many plants…


By Amy Weiss

Fruits of Rosaceae

Apr 22 2023

Specimen Stories

Flowering plants differ from all other plants by producing seeds within fruits;…


By Amy Weiss

Fungi + Algae = Lichens

Feb 6 2020

What is a Lichen? Lichens are a fungal lifestyle: fungal species that…


By Laura Briscoe

George Massee

Mar 21 2019

The fungal herbarium of George E. Massee was acquired by NY in…


By Laura Briscoe

George Washington Carver

Feb 5 2019

Collectors

George Washington Carver (1860s–1943) was an inventor, teacher, botanist, and mycologist (a…


By Amy Weiss

Ginger and Chiya

Aug 4 2022

Specimen Stories

Ginger, also known as Zingiber officinale is native to tropical climates like…


By Ang Lama

Good grief, Charles Geyer

Mar 1 2019

Collectors

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


By Amy Weiss

Granite outcrop specialists

May 15 2019

Focus on Science

Plants are amazing and can adapt to live in the most unlikely…


By Amy Weiss

Happy Little Trees

Apr 24 2020

Works of Art

I am a fan of Bob Ross and his show The Joy…


By Amy Weiss

Heard it through the grapevine

May 21 2019

Specimen Stories

Vitis is the genus of one of the world’s favorite horticultural crop:…


By Philip Evich

Hearts

Feb 3 2020

Works of Art

Herbarium specimens are close to my heart, and it's fun to imagine that…


By Amy Weiss

Herbarium Specimens Show Changes in Carbon Dioxide Levels

Sep 20 2019

Focus on Science

It has been documented that since the industrial revolution there has been an…


By Nicole Tarnowsky

Herbarium Specimens Show Changes in the Landscape

Sep 20 2019

Focus on Science

Changing climate means changing landscapes. Herbarium specimens document what plants are growing in…


By Nicole Tarnowsky

Hitchhikers

Sep 26 2019

Specimen Stories

Some plants have evolved to literally hitchhike on passing animals. They have…


By Amy Weiss

How did flowers get their meanings?

Mar 27 2019

There were three main sources for the definitions used by the Victorian…


By Amy Weiss

Indicators of past settlement

Sep 26 2019

Specimen Stories

Humans alter the environments where they live and we can use those…


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

J. K. Small and the changing Florida landscape

Apr 21 2019

People had been living in Florida for centuries, but there is little…


By Amy Weiss

J. K. Small's exploration in Southern Florida, 1915

Apr 21 2019

Expeditions

John Kunkel Small, botanist and herbarium curator at the the New York Botanical…


By Amy Weiss

James F. Brown - Master Gardener

Feb 13 2024

James F. Brown is regarded as one of America’s first master gardeners by the…


By Kenneth Reginald Otero-Walker

James Lendemer

Mar 21 2019

Collectors

James Lendemer is one of the youngest curators at the New York…


By Laura Briscoe

Jean Baptiste François Bulliard

Mar 21 2019

Works of Art

Jean Baptiste François Bulliard was French physician and botanist, especially interested in fungi.…


By Laura Briscoe

John Cage

Jan 31 2019

Collectors

Mostly remembered for his experimental music compositions, John Cage was also a…


By Laura Briscoe

John Kunkel Small

Apr 21 2019

Collectors

John Kunkel Small (1869-1938) was a taxonomist and botanical explorer, who specialized…


By Amy Weiss

John Muir

Apr 2 2019

Collectors

John Muir (1838–1914) was an influential naturalist and conservationist, and co-founder of the…


By Amy Weiss

John Torrey

Apr 19 2019

Collectors

John Torrey (1796-1873) is considered one of the most influential American botanists…


By Nicole Tarnowsky

John Torrey on Gray's Peak

Apr 18 2019

Expeditions

In 1861 Charles Parry was the first explorer to ascend Gray's Peak…


By Nicole Tarnowsky

John Torrey’s Trip to California and Colorado, 1872

Jun 28 2019

Expeditions

In July of 1872, John Torrey and his daughter Margaret departed on…


By Sarah Dutton

Journey of the US Exploring Expedition (1838-1842)

Mar 18 2019

Expeditions

One of the earliest and most impactful scientific expeditions led by the…


By Charles J. Zimmerman

July in the Native Plant Garden

Jul 10 2019

Works of Art

The Native Plant Garden is looking lovely right now! Some plants that…


By Nicole Tarnowsky

Kuntze in Atacama Desert, Chile

Mar 25 2019

Otto Kuntze collected this plant in 1892 in the Atacama Desert of…


By Nicole Tarnowsky

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