Athabasca University's Herbarium
As of September 2002, we have over 2,800 dried plant specimens that have been mounted, identified and cataloged. These represent 815 species of ferns, conifers, monocots and dicots in about 100 families. In addition, we have nearly 40 species of fungi and lichens. See Table 1 for details.
The specimens are used in our various biology courses and have contributed to the known distribution of rare plants in Alberta. Specimens are also available for identifying unknown species brought in by the general public and for artists who wish to make realistic images. The herbarium started in 1985 after Athabasca University's headquarters were moved from Edmonton to Athabasca.
In that summer, Dr. Lochan Bakshi (now Emeritus Professor) and Mr. Richard Dickinson conducted a botanical survey of Athabasca University's new lands. (This is documented in Bakshi, T.S and R.G. Holmberg. 1986. A preliminary biological survey of Athabasca University lands. Athabasca University Internal Report. 76 p.; available from Athabasca University Library.) Students of BIOL 321: Wild Flowers have added to the collection. Although most specimens are from Athabasca or the Kananaskis area (where BIOL 321 is usually taught), there are specimens from most Canadian provinces and a few US states.
In addition to four standard herbarium cabinets, we also have a cabinet of specimens that were donated to us from a defunct provincial lab. The specimens are mainly from the Calgary area and some date back to the 1920's. Seeds of these plants are likely still viable and could be used in biodiversity studies. If anyone is interested in volunteering to help catalogue these old specimens, please contact the Science Outreach - Athabasca Coordinator.
Click here to check out what is now cataloged (in Excel 5.0 format - 1096 KB).
Summary of plants in the Athabasca University's Herbarium
Plant Category | Families | Genera | Species | Specimens |
Ferns and allies | 6 | 7 | 8 | 103 |
Conifers | 4 | 10 | 27 | 88 |
Monocots | 20 | 93 | 120 | 588 |
Dicots | 69 | 323 | 660 | 2020 |
Total true plants | 99 | 433 | 815 | 2799 |
Fungi | 11 | 15 | 15 | 16 |
Lichens | 8 | 14 | 23 | 26 |
Science Outreach Athabasca - September 27, 2012
