Missouri Botanical Garden
St. Louis
Missouri 63166-0299
United States
Dr. James Solomon, Curator of the Herbarium
Email: jim.solomon@mobot.org
Peter B. Phillipson, API Project
Tel: peter.phillipson@mobot.org
The Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) is one of the world’s top botanical research and conservation institutions. MBG’s dozens of Ph.D. researchers work to strengthen scientific expertise in developing countries to protect and manage biodiversity before it’s too late. With close to half the world’s plants facing extinction, and less than one in six yet studied for potential benefits to humans, it’s a race we must win. MBG’s Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development is at the forefront of protecting plant biodiversity on an international scale. Acting locally, the Center for Plant Conservation is dedicated solely to preventing the extinction of America’s imperiled native flora.
Our Research Division is active across the globe, collecting information about the world’s plants. These research activities are aided by our world-class herbarium and library. The MBG’s herbarium is one of the world’s outstanding research resources for specimens and information on bryophytes and vascular plants. The collection is limited to these two major groups of organisms. As of 1 January 2005, the collection contained more than 5 1/2 million specimens (450 456 bryophytes and 5 185 704 vascular plants). The herbarium is divided between two buildings. The Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Monocots, and Dicots through the Fabaceae (family 128) are located in the Lehmann Building, at the south end of the MBG grounds, while Dicot families from Pandaceae (family 128A) through Asteraceae (family 280) are in the Monsanto Center (4500 Shaw Blvd.).
The library is also located in the Monsanto Center (4th floor). The general collection consists of more than 177 000 volumes of monographs and journals. More than 800 current periodicals are received through subscription and on exchange. The main emphasis of the collection is on plant taxonomic literature, current and retrospective, collected in all languages. Other special collections include: more than 3000 reference works; 1100 Sturtevant Pre-Linnaean volumes; 2000 post-1753 rare books; more than 1000 folio volumes; the personal collections of Ewan (5000 books), Steere (1000 volumes), and Niederlander (600 volumes); 7000 items of botanical art; map and atlas collection (more than 7000 items); and microfiche (40 000 fiche). To arrange a visit to the library, please e-mail molib@mobot.org or call +1 314 577 5155.
Another excellent research source is our archives. The archives include more than 2000 linear feet of MBG records and publications, professional and personal papers, historic manuscripts, MBG photographs, oral histories, original artwork from MBG publications, and architectural drawings. Noteworthy are the personal papers of Henry Shaw, including letters, account books, diaries, and legal papers documenting his business transactions and the development of the Missouri Botanical Garden. The George Engelmann Papers, numbering some 5000 letters and 30 boxes of botanical notes, are resources for the history of 19th-century botany and exploration of the West. Other important collections are the Tower Grove Park Archives and the Julian Steyermark Papers. An appointment to consult the archives can be made by contacting the library, e-mail molib@mobot.org or call +1 314 577 5155.
Materials of Special Interest
- TROPICOS: The world’s largest database of plant information, contains fully web-searchable records for over 2 388 045 specimens as of January 2005.
- DNA Banking: As an aid for research in molecular phylogenetics, the herbarium maintains a collection of material specifically intended for DNA extraction. Botanists at MBG collect leaf samples, preserve them in silica gel, and store them at –20º C. Because the samples are carefully prepared and stored, they are likely to give better yields of higher-quality DNA than herbarium material. As of April 2005, 6675 accessions (324 moss samples; 6351 vascular plant samples) have been catalogued and are available for distribution. The catalogue of this material is available online. Please contact the Curator of the Herbarium if you are interested in obtaining DNA samples.
- Liquid-Preserved Specimens: A collection of approximately 4500 accessions of liquid-preserved plant parts is also available for consultation and study. These plant materials represent a diverse array of families, but are concentrated in groups that have been the special research interests of MBG staff.