Preservation in the face of Radicans

As I delved back into the cabinets this week, I found some stunning specimens. Some impressed me because they were so well pressed, such as this Parnassia glauca, or the American grass of Parnassus (family Saxifragaceae).

Other specimens impressed me because they had maintained their coloration so beautifully despite their age. For instance, take this Polygala paucifolia, or Fringed polygala (Family Polygalaceae) pressed in 1986. Look how its purplish hue has remained intact!

My most exciting finds of the week, however, were specimens from Central Michigan University's original Herbarium. Some even had the original labels, written by hand with an ink pen!

Saxifraga pennsylvanica, or Swamp Saxifrage (Family Saxifragaceae)

This Swamp Saxifrage was collected May 28, 1927!

 

 

I was impressed with this specimen, but even more impressed when I found these two samples, pressed in 1906:

Euphorbia cyparissias, or Cypress spurge (Family Euphorbiaceae)

 

 

Euphorbia polygonifolia, or Seaside spurge (Family Euphorbiaceae)

 

I hope to continue finding fascinating pieces of history like this...and I hope I look that good when I am over 100 years old.

 

 

And, finally, I worked a lot this week within the family Anacardiaceae. This family includes more innocuous species, like Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina), but it also contains Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum ), and Poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix ). Thus, my hat goes off to whomever collected those fine specimens. I hope you did not suffer afterwards.

 

Toxicodendron radicans (Poison Ivy)

 





 

 Until next time,

Abigail H.