Throughout the world, closures and lockdowns aimed to stop the spread of COVID-19 have disrupted many people’s lives and work. As a global institution, the Missouri Botanical Garden does research around the world, making travel restrictions a major hindrance. The “stay at home” order means staff has lost access to the Garden’s herbarium and labs,…
Category: Collections
White Redbud Has History at the Garden
Missouri’s native trees put on quite a show in spring, led by the fuchsia flush of the Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). This understory tree can be found in parks, home landscapes, and along roadsides throughout the state. The dense clusters of tiny pink blooms are a reminder that warmer weather and longer days have finally…
Cherry Blossoms at the Garden
The best cherry blossom display in the midwest is in St. Louis, right here at the Missouri Botanical Garden.
One Stud of a Spud: The Potato in Botany, Art, and Human History
The potato is a beloved staple of the human diet worldwide. On exhibit now, Solanum tuberosum: Apple of the Earth, details the story of this humble tuber.
Climatron 60: The Talking Orchid
Is some parched stranger crying out for help behind that palm tree? Not quite.
More Plantmoji Coming in 2020
There will be more plants at your fingertips, thanks to five new plant emoji being added in 2020.
Stop and Smell the Anthuriums
Instead of stopping to smell the roses, maybe it’s time to appreciate the aroma of anthuriums. Anthurium is a genus of plants in the aroid family, Araceae. You’ve probably seen one before, and may even have one in your house. Commercially available Anthurium are often sold as houseplants—noted for their colorful spathe, long-lasting bloom, and…
From the Library: Rebuilding the Bateman Book (Part 9)
Finishing Bateman Forwarding Like all professions, bookbinding has its own specialized vocabulary. What do you think bookbinders mean when they say they are “forwarding” a book? Are they pushing it in front of them? Are they sending to on to another recipient? Not likely. After a book is sewn together, it needs to be put…
10 New Plant Species Discovered by Garden Scientists in 2019
Each year, the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Science and Conservation staff discover and name about 200 plant species new to science. That’s about 10 percent of all plant species discovered by scientists worldwide annually. Discovery is the first crucial step in plant conservation. Until a species is described, we cannot think about conservation status or ensure…
Saving America’s Endangered Christmas Tree
Although a common sight in living rooms across the country every holiday season, one of America’s most popular Christmas trees is under threat. However, the Missouri Botanical Garden is working to safeguard the future of the Fraser fir. Threats Facing the Fraser Fir The Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) is one of the most popular evergreens…
Bringing the Heat: Victoria Lily Pads Could Break Records in 2020
The installation of a new heating system puts the Garden in the running for the largest Victoria water lily pad ever recorded.
Tree Identification Quiz
Put your canopy comprehension to the test with these 10 questions about tree ID.