Image: The University of Georgia Herbarium, founded in the 1920's, is one of the largest herbaria in the southeastern United States with over 280,000 sheets of pressed plants from around the world. The Herbarium serves as a research collection of pressed, dried, and labeled plant specimens arranged by a classification scheme, e.g., which family, genus or species a plant belongs to. With more than a quarter million specimens, the herbarium is a place for experienced researchers, as well as beginners, to learn more about plants. The herbarium has a searchable digital collection, but interested people can also schedule a general tour to see this amazing collection in person. The herbarium also hosts groups, e.g., 4-H, Trees Atlanta and the Department of Natural Resources for fun and educational classes. For public activities in the herbarium, like pressed plant art, please follow the Herbarium's Instagram @ugaherbarium. The herbarium is located on South campus in the Miller Plant Sciences building and is led by Tanisha Williams, Assistant Professor of Plant Biology and director and curator of the herbarium. She is a plant ecologist and her research group works at the nexus of botany, conservation, genomics, ethnobotany, and herbaria science to understand the impacts of climate change, conservation of rare plants, and how Indigenous Peoples assist the health of plant populations around the world. Her work at the herbarium is supported by Stephen Hughes, the collections manager. The herbarium also offers internships for undergraduate students. For more information please contact Dr. Williams. Read more about Dr. Williams research here. The herbarium was featured in the 3/19/2025 issue of the Athens Flagpole. Photo credit: Erin France/Flagpole article
