Herbarium | U-M LSA University of Michigan Herbarium

Featured Vascular Plant Specimen Marsh thistle (Cirsium muticum) is a native thistle that grows in moist to wet areas throughout Michigan. The deep rose-purple flowers and the weak spines make this species one of the most attractive thistles occurring in the state. Specimens of this species are included in the 1.1 million vascular plant collections in MICH.

Featured Moss Specimen MICH houses 2100 specimens of the widespread moss genus Brachythecium Schimp., which is named for its relatively short and thick capsules. In Michigan, Brachythecium is represented by ca. 15 species, which are documented at MICH by 307 collections.

Featured Fungus Specimen A cluster of "ghostly" golden chanterelles, Cantharellus phasmatis M.J. Foltz & T.J. Volk. Part of a cryptic species complex, this species was originally described from the driftless region of western Wisconsin. Foltz has recently confirmed using molecular techniques that populations exist here in Michigan, including the Washtenaw county specimens pictured here. Golden chanterelles are highly sought-after for their culinary value. The University of Michigan Herbarium holds over 1500 collections of Cantharellus as part of a fungal collection estimated to contain at least 285,000 specimens. Photo: M.J. Foltz

Featured Algae Specimen The type specimen of Pseudogrinnellia barrattiae M.J. Wynne (phylum Rhodophyta), described from Wadi Forh, Sultanate of Oman, northern Arabian Sea (Wynne 1999). This specimen has sori of sporangia scattered over the blade surface. This alga is one of approximately 106,000 specimens of algae in MICH.

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Recent News

Excavating the Edmontosaurus

After 90 years in the Ruthven Building, LSA’s Museum of Natural History is moving to the new Biological Sciences Building. But some specimens, including a giant Edmontosaurus skeleton, will live in the Research Museums Center down the street.

New video: Edwin S. George Reserve turtle research and more

The video captures the beauty of the University of Michigan field station in early June including the diversity of habitats and wildlife.

all news

Welcome to the Herbarium

The University of Michigan Herbarium is home to some of the finest botanical collections in the world. The 1.7 million specimens of vascular plants, algae, bryophytes, fungi, and lichens combined with the expertise of the faculty-curators, students, and staff provide a world-class facility for teaching and research in systematic biology and biodiversity studies.

Michigan Flora September Featured Plant

Ratibida columnifera - Native to prairies and open ground west of the Great Lakes, adventive eastward chiefly along railroads. Learn More

Giving to the Herbarium

RMC Shuttle Service Information - Campus Transportation to the Herbarium

Michigan Flora Online

The Michigan Flora Website presents information about all vascular plants known to occur outside of cultivation. Information includes distribution maps, identification keys, discussions of species occurrence, and specimens documented.

Michigan Flora Website

Events

Sep

Prairie Pre-Restoration Sampling & Education Event

10:00 AM
Research Museums Center

Sep

EEB Tuesday Lunch Seminar: Unlocking the Museums: a discussion of EEB’s museums with curators and staff

EEB Professor Chris Dick, Associate Chair for Museum Collections and UMMZ curators and staff

12:00 PM
1010 Biological Sciences Building

Sep

Multi

Green Life Sciences Symposium 2018: Plant-Environment Interactions Across Scales

Numerous national speakers

8:15 AM
D. Dan and Betty Kahn Auditorium Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building

All Events

Be a Victor

We strive to support the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts on the front lines of learning and research; to steward our planet, our community, our campus. To do this, the Herbarium needs you—because the world needs Victors.