The Gardens herbarium was founded in 2014 to document and preserve the plant biodiversity of coastal Maine and its broader ecoregions. The collection is curated by Melissa Cullina, Director of Plant Science & Collections, assisted by Science and Collections Information Specialist Spencer O’Bryan and a very dedicated corps of volunteers. If you are interested in helping curate the herbarium, please contact Melissa at mcullina@mainegardens.org.
The Herbarium
The herbarium, a collection of dried, pressed plant specimens, supports the research and education pillars of our mission. The herbarium serves as the repository for vouchers of our ongoing MidCoast Flora project, as well as research projects featuring the living horticultural collections of Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. Specimens provide a key source of data for our research into the phenology and biogeography of Maine plants and are also utilized by students in our Certificate in Native Plants and Ecological Horticulture and Certificate in Botanical Arts programs.
The collection contains specimens dating from the 1840s through the present day. About 80% of the collections are from Maine; the remaining 20% represents collections from 24 other states and several Canadian provinces. Well represented collectors include Edward B. Chamberlain, Donald S. Cameron, Melissa Dow Cullina, Alison Dibble, Merritt L. Fernald, Albion R. Hodgdon, Norman C. Fassett and David Potter. Less numerous, but significant in their historical importance, are collections by Kate Furbish and Aaron Young.
With our thanks.
CMBG is grateful for important gifts of specimens from Bentley University, the University of New Hampshire, the University of Vermont, the Maine Natural Areas Program, the New England Botanical Club and several private individuals, especially Alison Dibble. Funding for the herbarium is provided by grant support from the Davis Conservation Fund, private donations and visitor admissions.
