Herbarium

New plant identification app available, powered by U-M Herbarium Follow the link to read more about the app.

EEB Museums Spring 2026 Newsletter: Inside the Collections

Featured Fungus Specimen A cluster of "ghostly" golden chanterelles, Cantharellus phasmatis M.J. Foltz & T.J. Volk. Part of a cryptic species complex, this species was originally described from the driftless region of western Wisconsin. Foltz has recently confirmed using molecular techniques that populations exist here in Michigan, including the Washtenaw county specimens pictured here. Golden chanterelles are highly sought-after for their culinary value. The University of Michigan Herbarium holds over 1500 collections of Cantharellus as part of a fungal collection estimated to contain at least 285,000 specimens. Photo: M.J. Foltz

Featured Moss Specimen MICH houses 2100 specimens of the widespread moss genus Brachythecium Schimp., which is named for its relatively short and thick capsules. In Michigan, Brachythecium is represented by ca. 15 species, which are documented at MICH by 307 collections.

Featured Algae Specimen The type specimen of Pseudogrinnellia barrattiae M.J. Wynne (phylum Rhodophyta), described from Wadi Forh, Sultanate of Oman, northern Arabian Sea (Wynne 1999). This specimen has sori of sporangia scattered over the blade surface. This alga is one of approximately 106,000 specimens of algae in MICH.

Featured Vascular Plant Specimen Marsh thistle (Cirsium muticum) is a native thistle that grows in moist to wet areas throughout Michigan. The deep rose-purple flowers and the weak spines make this species one of the most attractive thistles occurring in the state. Specimens of this species are included in the 1.1 million vascular plant collections in MICH.

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Recent News

U-M Herbarium Researchers Present at Botany 2026

Researchers from the U-M Herbarium presented new research and innovations in collections at Botany 2026, an international conference bringing together botanists, researchers, students, and collections professionals from around the world.

Herbarium Spotlight: Brad Ruhfel and Anton Reznicek on Michigan Public Radio’s Stateside

The U-M Herbarium’s Brad Ruhfel and Anton Reznicek were featured on Michigan Public Radio’s Stateside to talk about the Michigan Flora app

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The University of Michigan Herbarium is home to some of the finest botanical collections in the world. The 1.7 million specimens of vascular plants, algae, bryophytes, fungi, and lichens combined with the expertise of the faculty-curators, students, and staff provide a world-class facility for teaching and research in systematic biology and biodiversity studies.

Michigan Flora Featured Plant September 2026

Photo Credit: B.S. Walters

Sinapis alba - First collected in Michigan in 1888 in Keweenaw Co., but collected only once since the 1920s. Learn More

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Michigan Flora Online

The Michigan Flora Website presents information about all vascular plants known to occur outside of cultivation. Information includes distribution maps, identification keys, discussions of species occurrence, and specimens documented.

Michigan Flora Website

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