127 years. One species. Countless stories. These two Niphidium crassifolium specimens show how botanical science has evolved through changing labels, mounting techniques, and plant classification. Herbaria preserve both plants and the history of their discovery.

Thanks to the Breedlove, Dennis Fund, UT graduate student Sydney Baldwin traveled to California's unique serpentine seeps to study how pollen quality influences plant reproduction. Her research is helping us better understand pollination, plant fitness, and evolution. #BreedloveDennisAward

From field to herbarium! Kids U: Flora Quest students toured the TENN Herbarium, played Herbarium Bingo, collected local plants, and created their own mini herbarium collections using the same techniques employed by botanists. We loved sharing the world of plant science! #KidsU #UTkHerbarium

In 1934, the UT Herbarium lost nearly 30,000 specimens in the Morrill Hall fire, including the historic collections of Dr. Augustin Gattinger. Thanks to Aaron "Jack" Sharp and support from other institutions, the collection has grown to approximately 710,000 specimens.

Thanks to the Breedlove, Dennis Fund, UT graduate student Tonika Birmley is studying how differences in chromosome number influence reproduction in the Appalachian wildflower Galax urceolata. Her research is helping us better understand plant evolution and conservation. #BreedloveDennisAward

Conducting plant research? The UT Herbarium supports researchers with more than 700,000 specimens, field and research equipment, and dedicated workspaces. Our collections include vascular plants, ferns, bryophytes, fungi, lichens, algae, and fruits and seeds.

Supported by the Breedlove, Dennis Fund, UT graduate student Ashlynn Hord sampled cottonwood populations across the Intermountain West to study introgression (gene flow through hybridization and backcrossing) and its potential role in climate resilience.

Every specimen has a story to tell—and every story begins with careful preparation. Our Curatorial Technicians carefully mount vascular plant specimens using archival materials, creating lasting scientific records that will support research for generations to come.

We had a wonderful time visiting the UT Gardens Summer Camp! Campers learned about herbaria, examined preserved plant specimens, and created their own mini herbarium sheets using flowers from the gardens. We hope we inspired a few future botanists!

Thanks to the Breedlove, Dennis Fund, UT graduate student Cait Barnes studied the fungal partnerships that help trees survive and thrive. Her research on dual-mycorrhizal associations is expanding our understanding of forest ecology from the ground up.

Every specimen has a story to tell. This Phacelia bipinnatifida specimen was collected more than 100 years ago, yet traces of its blue flower pigmentation remain visible today, a testament to the value of careful preservation and collections care. #UTHerbarium #EverySpecimenHasAStory #Botany

This summer, students from UT's Summer Field Botany course visited the herbarium for a behind-the-scenes tour of the collection. From plant identification to climate change research, herbarium specimens are valuable records of biodiversity through time

Supported by the Breedlove-Dennis Fund, UT graduate student Guido A. Herrera conducted field research in Colombia, studying how oil palm plantations and cattle ranching affect stream ecosystems. #UTHerbarium #GraduateResearch #ConservationScience

Now flowering in East Tennessee: Striped wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata). Herbarium specimens help researchers document when plants flower, providing valuable records that can be used to study changes in flowering times and species distributions over time. #UTHerbarium #NowFlowering #Phenology

Our Curatorial Technicians have been hard at work processing newly acquired bryophyte specimens this summer. The UT Herbarium houses more than 183,000 bryophyte specimens, making this collection an important resource for research, conservation, and education.

Supported by the Breedlove, Dennis Fund, UT graduate student Ella Segal collected tree seeds, soils, and mycorrhizal fungi across the eastern U.S. to study how plant-fungal partnerships may influence forest resilience in a changing climate. #UTHerbarium #ForestEcology #Conservation

Love plants? Know a rising 7th or 8th grader who does too? Our Flora Quest: Exploring Plant Diversity camp gives students a behind-the-scenes look at the UT Herbarium, greenhouse, and the fascinating world of plant science. Scholarships are available, reducing the cost to just $49. Spots are limited

Plants are critical to biodiversity and endangered species recovery, yet they have often been underrepresented in conservation policy discussions. We are excited to see growing national attention focused on plant conservation and recovery investment. Read more: www.agri-pulse.com/articles/247...

Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) is well known for its distinctive fragrance, produced by aromatic oils in its leaves. Native to the Mediterranean, this evergreen shrub has long been valued in cooking, gardening, and traditional medicine. You can spot it near the Volunteer Blvd pedestrian walkway

The genus Rhododendron includes more than 1,000 species and ranges from tiny alpine shrubs to large tree-like forms. In the southeastern United States, native rhododendrons are among the most recognizable flowering shrubs of mountain forests.

Did you know there’s a plant whose colorful bracts resemble tiny shrimp? The Shrimp Plant (Justicia brandegeeana) is native to Mexico and is a favorite in gardens for its unusual, long-lasting flowers that attract hummingbirds and insect pollinators #PlantsThatLookLikeThingst #HerbariumHighlights

Fire Pink (Silene virginica) is hard to miss in the spring woods! Its brilliant red flowers are especially attractive to hummingbirds. Sticky glandular hairs on the stems and leaves may help deter crawling insects that steal nectar without pollinating the plant. #NativeWildflowers

Few wildflowers are as iconic or as unforgettable as the Pink & White Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium reginae), the state flower of Minnesota. #StateFlowers #MinnesotaWildflower #LadysSlipper #NativeOrchids #BotanyIsCool #WetlandPlants #HerbariumHighlight

Towering evergreen leaves, massive fragrant flowers, and a lineage older than bees — Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) is one of the botanical treasures growing right here on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus.

Did you know there’s an orchid whose flower looks like a tiny monkey face? The Monkey Face Orchid (Dracula simia) is native to the cloud forests of Central and South America and is one of the most unusual flowers in the plant kingdom! #PlantsThatLookLikeThings #MonkeyFaceOrchid #WeirdPlants

Meet the mayflower (Epigaea repens), the state flower of Massachusetts! This low-growing woodland plant is famous for its sweet fragrance and delicate spring flowers. #Wildflowers

Maryland’s state flower, the Black-Eyed Susan, was officially adopted in 1918! Its yellow and black colors even match the state bird and flag. This cheerful native wildflower is also an important nectar source for pollinators and a favorite in gardens and meadows alike #StateFlowers

Not actually pearls… but still a gem String of Pearls is a trailing succulent from South Africa. The bead-like leaves help store water in dry environments. Give it bright indirect light, well-drained soil, and don’t overwater! Bonus: its tiny white blooms smell a lot like cinnamon #SucculentLove

No flowers this week! But white pine is still a great plant nonetheless.