Traditional Medicine: Momordica charantia
Momordica charantia L. is a plant species that is used in the…
Rainbow of Plant Dyes
People have been dyeing their clothing with plants since ancient times. All around…
Greetings from Camp
Even if you have never attended a sleepaway summer camp, chances are you've gotten a…
Label Appreciation: Borders
Labels are as important to a herbarium specimen as the plant, alga, or…
Arthonia stevensoniana
Arthonia etymology unknown stevensoniana from Stevenson, honoring Robert Louis Stevenson, author of…
Modern Art
Herbarium specimens play an important part in plant science research. But the specimens themselves can…
Mystery Tree of Rondônia
In September 2019 I went to Rondônia state in Brazil in the…
Octopodotus stupendus
Octopodotus from octopus and the Greek suffix–otus, indicating resemblance, because of the…
Sticky Rice
Focus on ScienceWhat's in a name?
A couple of years ago I was asked by Michael Purugganan (Dean…
Exploring the Conservation Status of Jamaican Root Tonic…
Jamaican root tonics are fermented beverages composed of roots, bark, and other…
A World of Tulips
Tulip bulbs that have been tucked safely underground all winter are springing…
The Tecate Cypress: What a Tangled Web
While working as a digitization intern, one of the most pleasing features…
Kate Furbish and the Flora of Maine
Catherine Furbish was born in 1834 in Exeter, New Hampshire. From an…
Virtual Road Trip: Southern Wildflowers
Many Americans are currently practicing social distancing and self-quarantine as a way…
Pollination after dark
Although sometimes overlooked, bats are vital pollinators for many economically important species…
Garden Vegetables
If you're planting your own garden this spring what will you choose to grow?…
Draw and Create Specimen Challenge
Herbarium specimens are an important piece of a larger puzzle; helping people…
Plant Inspired Innovations: Nepenthes and Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous…
Most plants absorb nutrients from the soil through their roots. Carnivorous plants…
Wild Cinnamon
Although not related to true cinnamon, Cinnamodendron corticosum is a similar spice tree.…
Picnic in Central Park
Since its completion in 1876, Central Park has been a favorite destination…
Snap shot of the Rock Garden, circa 1942
NYBG's Rock Garden in the spring is full of treasures that have been documented…
Palm Patterns
Creating specimens of palms pose a challenge to collectors—how best to trim, arrange,…
Understanding Interactions: Taking Botany Out of Isolation
For centuries we have viewed plants and fungi in isolation. Tried to…
Jane Colden - America's First Female Botanist
Highly respected among her male peers in the 18th century, Jane Colden…
Species that Work-from-Home
Like many of you, NYBG herbarium staff are currently working from home…
Mary Agnes Chase: Mentor, Activist, Botanist
Mary Agnes Chase was a self educated, determined, and influential botanist. Early…
Dancing Lady Orchids Take Center Stage
Dancing Lady Orchid is the collective common name for the orchid genus…
Orchids of New York: Fairy Slippers and Dragon…
Although most orchids are found in the tropical mountain systems of the…
No Leaves, No Problem!
Although the vast majority of plants have leaves, not all plants do,…
Women in Genera
What's in a name?Women in Science
For as long as we've been using binomial nomenclature to name species,…
Hidden Women Botanists - Mrs. Herbert Huntington Smith
The NYBG herbarium has over two thousand specimens that are labeled as collected…
Seuss-ian Specimens
While the illustrations in books by Dr. Seuss depict fanciful folliage, reality…
Black Botany: The Nature of Black Experience
Black Botany: The Nature of Black Experience seeks to acknowledge the complex…
The Saguaro Cactus: Emblematic Plant of the American…
Specimen StoriesWhat's in a name?
With its tall, columnar shape and upward-bending branches, the cactus we know…
Old Man's Beard: A Medicinal Lichen
Usnea is a genus of lichen, commonly known as Old Man’s Beard. …
Love Potions & Charms
Love potions and charms are mentioned countless times throughout literature; from ancient…
An Unrequited Botanical Love Story
The love of botany is responsible for both fostering and hindering this…
Fungi of Australia
As the continent of Australia continues to burn, scientists wonder what these…
Surviving the Fires of Australia
Amid the tragedy of the Australian fires, the Wollemi Pine is a…
Myanmar Mystery Solved
Working in a Herbarium sometimes requires detective work. This Myanmar mystery started…
Typical: Christmas in the clouds
Bassett Maguire (1904–1991), a botanist who spent the majority of his career…
Ascension Island: Volcanoes, Castaways, and Darwin’s Manmade Forest
One million years ago, a volcano broke the surface in the middle…
Confetti
No party is complete without confetti—especially when ringing in the new year.…
Eight Days of Oil
Oil has a special significance for those who celebrate Hanukkah. This Jewish…
Yuletide Greetings
European winter traditions that predate Christianity have a large focus on plants.…
Christmas Tree Species
Though most Christmas trees are in the pine family, Pinaceae, they are…
Mulled Cider
Put these fruits, seeds, bark, and flower buds together to get mulled…
People for Scale
A picture is worth a thousand words, and sometimes it's easier to…
Mums the Word
With their vibrant purples, deep reds and bright yellows, Mums (or Chrysanthemums) are always…
Witches!
Cabinet of CuriositiesWhat's in a name?
Don't be too scared by these witches - just some friendly plants…
Botanical Lessons
Botany students must learn the structures of flowers in all their intricate variety.…
Typical: Ceratozamia euryphyllidia, the largest type?
Plant specimens come in all shapes and sizes, but they are usually…
Life in Slot Canyons
Cabinet of CuriositiesExpeditions
Slot canyons are deep channels eroded into rock. They are often ten…
Alpine Invaders
Climate Change can negatively impact Alpine regions by making them more susceptible…
Alpine Adaptation: Stay Shaggy!
Temperatures may be low but sun-exposure is extremely intense at high-elevations due…
Alpine Adaptation: Red is the New Black
Hairs are one way to deflect damaging UV radiation while locking in…