Typical: Astragalus cusickii var. packardiae
Covered in flower dissection illustrations by Rupert Barneby — we should all…
Women's Scientific Empowerment
Natural history was immensely popular in the Victorian era, but women were…
Smooth rock tripe
This Umbilicaria species is regarded to be one of the largest lichens…
Fig family, Moraceae
Ficus carica L., the edible common fig has been cultivated for millenia.…
Mary Treat
Those who have read Barbara Kingsolver's newest novel, Unsheltered, will be familiar with the…
Banded Mottlegill
This mushroom was called 'weed Panaeolus' because it would frequently grow as…
Christmas Lichen
Specimen StoriesCabinet of Curiosities
This bright-colored lichen is called the 'Christmas Lichen' because of its bright…
Some Algae of Nova Scotia
Although the bulk of specimens that find their way into the New…
Lettuce Lichen
Similar to the Old Man’s Beard, Lungwort lichens can only thrive in…
Madagascar periwinkle
Commonly known as Madagascar periwinkle, this member of the dogbane family has…
George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver (1860s–1943) was an inventor, teacher, botanist, and mycologist (a…
Lavender
Lavender has been used in traditional medicine for centuries for its soothing…
Pertusaria andersoniae
Specimen StoriesWomen in Science
Some of our herbarium specimens are of incredibly rare species. This is…
Corpse Flower
Another famous plant in the Araceae family is the Titan Arum or…
Air plants
Specimen StoriesFocus on Science
The little air plant in your house that you mist every day could…
Giant puffball
This spectacular giant puffball can be found in meadows, fields and forests…
John Cage
Mostly remembered for his experimental music compositions, John Cage was also a…
Richard Spruce
“Whenever rains, swollen streams, and grumbling Indians combined to overwhelm me with…
Spider Plant
The spider plant is in the genus Chlorophytum which contains almost 200 species, mostly originating…
Begonias
The genus Begonia contains over 1800 species. They are native to tropical…
Marantaceae, Arrowroot family
Marantaceae, the Arrowroot family, is thought to have originated in Africa, though much of…
Koʻoloaʻula
This Federally Endangered Hibiscus relative with bright red flowers is endemic to…
Skunk Cabbage
Specimen StoriesFocus on Science
A locally occuring arum in the northeast U.S., skunk cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus…
Lace Algae
Many of the red algae are incredibly delicate and beautiful, as exemplified…
Truffle
Specimen StoriesFocus on Science
Truffles are fruiting bodies of Tuber fungi that grow underground. The fungi…
Incised fumewort
A new invasive, this relative of the Bleeding Heart was recently found…
Philodendron
Specimen StoriesFocus on Science
Greek: Philo- (love) dendron (tree) There are close to 500 species of…