MSU Herbarium

Here's another look at the process! Just a reminder that Panels and Plants is now available to download on QUBES. Link below!
qubeshub.org/publications...

Here’s another behind-the-scenes look at creating Panels & Plants! From sketching comic panels to bringing plant specimens to life, this project combines art and science to make botany engaging and accessible. Explore the full comic-activity book on QUBES now available for download!

Here’s a process video of how Panels & Plants was made! This educational comic-activity book introduces plant biology and taxonomy to students with a high-school level understanding of biology through the lens of herbarium collections. This project is part of Shreya Balla’s internship.

Next up is Arula, a junior studying Environmental Studies and Sustainability. She’s the Herbarium’s social media intern. In the picture, Arula is holding a Cypripedium acaule (Pink Lady Slipper). Her favorite thing about this plant is that it’s a Michigan native with a vibrant color.

We’re so excited to introduce our new staff for the semester! First up is Jillian, a junior in the landscape architecture program and an Herbarium collections intern. She’s holding Arisaema dracontium (Green Dragon) and her favorite thing about this plant is its name and unique leaf structure.

A booth with the sign "MSU herbarium" in a sunny garden. A woman behind the booth helps another woman and a child do a craft with dried flowers. There is a herbarium specimen on display.

The MSU herbarium's Jennifer Apland in action, doing outreach at Bee Palooza.

Please share — Michigan State Plant Biology is searching for an Herbarium Director! Tenure stream, open rank faculty position balancing research, teaching, service, and admin responsibilities. Join us! Reach out to me or @emjo.bsky.social with questions!

plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/job-postings...

MSU Plant Bio is hiring a new herbarium director! Our herbarium is a wonderful resource on campus and I'm excited to have the opportunity to make it even better by bringing in a new director. Details here: plantbiology.natsci.msu.edu/job-postings...

YouTube video by MSU College of Natural Science Teaching plant biology through comics

Say hello to Shreya Balla, a senior in the Plant Biology Department and intern at the MSU Herbarium. Her senior project focuses on science education through comics. Check out her project below!
youtube.com/shorts/CobQG...

Last Tuesday we talked about bogs and their ecological function with over 300 students at the 2025 Michigan Student Sustainability Summit. We love bogs because they are full of plants with unique adaptations (including carnivory!)

Check out our booth and some of our favorite bog dwellers!

Claytonia virginica or the Virginia Springbeauty is one of many spring ephemerals found on our campus. Check out this specimen collected in 1969, and this photo taken by our Collections Coordinator this past Friday. It's amazing to see the same plant in the same place today and again 56 years ago!

The MSU Herbarium is excited to be joining the scientific community on Blue Sky! For our first post, we want to highlight the work presented by herbarium undergraduate students at UURAF! From science communication to art to chemistry, we are so proud of the work they do!