UTK Herbarium - TENN
@utkherbarium.bsky.social
Biodiversity collection of over 649,000 plants & fungi at University of Tennessee - Knoxville in the Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department. Specimens from around the world with strengths in Tennessee & southern Appalachians!
linktr.ee/utkherbarium
linktr.ee/utkherbarium
A Thanksgiving staple!
Many people are surprised to discover that cranberries occur naturally in Tennessee! Once more common, this sun/acidic loving plant has been greatly impacted by forest encroachment and wetland habitat loss. The species is now found in only a couple locations statewide!
Many people are surprised to discover that cranberries occur naturally in Tennessee! Once more common, this sun/acidic loving plant has been greatly impacted by forest encroachment and wetland habitat loss. The species is now found in only a couple locations statewide!
November 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
A Thanksgiving staple!
Many people are surprised to discover that cranberries occur naturally in Tennessee! Once more common, this sun/acidic loving plant has been greatly impacted by forest encroachment and wetland habitat loss. The species is now found in only a couple locations statewide!
Many people are surprised to discover that cranberries occur naturally in Tennessee! Once more common, this sun/acidic loving plant has been greatly impacted by forest encroachment and wetland habitat loss. The species is now found in only a couple locations statewide!
Thought to be native at the time the species was designated as the Georgia state flower, this introduced species was historically cultivated and distributed by the Cherokee tribe.
November 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Thought to be native at the time the species was designated as the Georgia state flower, this introduced species was historically cultivated and distributed by the Cherokee tribe.
Who says botanizing ends with the first frost?
November 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Who says botanizing ends with the first frost?
Delaware once bloomed with more than 800,000 peach trees across the state!
November 13, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Delaware once bloomed with more than 800,000 peach trees across the state!
Are you planning on removing any pesky invasive species this month? Be sure to snap a photograph and get a free native plant seedling from the TN-IPC! Yay native plants! 🌳
November 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Are you planning on removing any pesky invasive species this month? Be sure to snap a photograph and get a free native plant seedling from the TN-IPC! Yay native plants! 🌳
Our next Specimens and Scones is less than a week away! Please come join us next Thursday, November 13th between 3-5pm to learn more about the herbarium and all of our wonderful resources! Plus, we will have tasty treats and coffee or tea to enjoy! 🌼 😃
November 7, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Our next Specimens and Scones is less than a week away! Please come join us next Thursday, November 13th between 3-5pm to learn more about the herbarium and all of our wonderful resources! Plus, we will have tasty treats and coffee or tea to enjoy! 🌼 😃
We are happy to announce two new opportunities for UTK undergrads! We will be offering a paid job opportunity over the 2026 Winter Mini-Term (Jan. 5-15), as well as an internship opportunity for credit over the 2026 Spring Semester. Students may apply for one or both opportunities.
November 6, 2025 at 2:25 PM
We are happy to announce two new opportunities for UTK undergrads! We will be offering a paid job opportunity over the 2026 Winter Mini-Term (Jan. 5-15), as well as an internship opportunity for credit over the 2026 Spring Semester. Students may apply for one or both opportunities.
Certainly a favorite here in Tennessee as well!
November 4, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Certainly a favorite here in Tennessee as well!
Happy Halloween!!
October 31, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Happy Halloween!!
Our next Specimens and Scones is just around the corner!
Please join us November 13th from 3:00–5:00 PM for an open house where guests can enjoy coffee, tea, and scones while learning about our exciting work here at the TENN Herbarium!
Please join us November 13th from 3:00–5:00 PM for an open house where guests can enjoy coffee, tea, and scones while learning about our exciting work here at the TENN Herbarium!
October 28, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Our next Specimens and Scones is just around the corner!
Please join us November 13th from 3:00–5:00 PM for an open house where guests can enjoy coffee, tea, and scones while learning about our exciting work here at the TENN Herbarium!
Please join us November 13th from 3:00–5:00 PM for an open house where guests can enjoy coffee, tea, and scones while learning about our exciting work here at the TENN Herbarium!
Definitely a fan favorite!! Similar to our red-flowered Tennessee native, Aquilegia canadensis.
October 27, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Definitely a fan favorite!! Similar to our red-flowered Tennessee native, Aquilegia canadensis.
Don't miss seeing this witchy native species in flower!
October 22, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Don't miss seeing this witchy native species in flower!
Need an extra boost to get through the rest of the week? Try our native Yaupon!
October 8, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Need an extra boost to get through the rest of the week? Try our native Yaupon!
The iconic Saguaro!!
October 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
The iconic Saguaro!!
Bird-of-Paradise: a favorite houseplant for many! Bring tropical charm into your living room, no squawking or feathers required!
October 3, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Bird-of-Paradise: a favorite houseplant for many! Bring tropical charm into your living room, no squawking or feathers required!
🌼 State flower of the week!!🌼
Myosotis alpestris (Boraginaceae)
Like many members of the borage family, M. alpestris is covered in stiff hairs that can feel rough to the touch. These hairs, sometimes fortified with silica or calcium, act as a natural defense and can cause skin irritation.
Myosotis alpestris (Boraginaceae)
Like many members of the borage family, M. alpestris is covered in stiff hairs that can feel rough to the touch. These hairs, sometimes fortified with silica or calcium, act as a natural defense and can cause skin irritation.
September 29, 2025 at 4:44 PM
🌼 State flower of the week!!🌼
Myosotis alpestris (Boraginaceae)
Like many members of the borage family, M. alpestris is covered in stiff hairs that can feel rough to the touch. These hairs, sometimes fortified with silica or calcium, act as a natural defense and can cause skin irritation.
Myosotis alpestris (Boraginaceae)
Like many members of the borage family, M. alpestris is covered in stiff hairs that can feel rough to the touch. These hairs, sometimes fortified with silica or calcium, act as a natural defense and can cause skin irritation.
Don't forget to stop by at the UT Herbarium next week for some delicious scones and engaging conversation! We will be giving tours of the herbarium while highlighting many of our amazing specimens!
Fungi ✅
Flowers✅
Moss ✅
Scones ✅
Biologists ✅
Fungi ✅
Flowers✅
Moss ✅
Scones ✅
Biologists ✅
September 26, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Don't forget to stop by at the UT Herbarium next week for some delicious scones and engaging conversation! We will be giving tours of the herbarium while highlighting many of our amazing specimens!
Fungi ✅
Flowers✅
Moss ✅
Scones ✅
Biologists ✅
Fungi ✅
Flowers✅
Moss ✅
Scones ✅
Biologists ✅
The common name says it all!
September 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The common name says it all!
Alabama’s state flower wasn’t always the camellia.
Originally it was goldenrod, a native wildflower!
In the 1950s it was swapped for camellia, but by the 1990s Alabama added the oak-leaf hydrangea as its State Wildflower to honor native plants.
Originally it was goldenrod, a native wildflower!
In the 1950s it was swapped for camellia, but by the 1990s Alabama added the oak-leaf hydrangea as its State Wildflower to honor native plants.
September 22, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Alabama’s state flower wasn’t always the camellia.
Originally it was goldenrod, a native wildflower!
In the 1950s it was swapped for camellia, but by the 1990s Alabama added the oak-leaf hydrangea as its State Wildflower to honor native plants.
Originally it was goldenrod, a native wildflower!
In the 1950s it was swapped for camellia, but by the 1990s Alabama added the oak-leaf hydrangea as its State Wildflower to honor native plants.
This is no bird! The White Egret Orchid uses its "unique" shape to attract pollinators. 🐞 🦋 🐝
September 18, 2025 at 9:02 AM
This is no bird! The White Egret Orchid uses its "unique" shape to attract pollinators. 🐞 🦋 🐝
The partridge pea is a pollinator favorite, even though its flowers don’t produce nectar! Instead, nectar comes from special glands called extrafloral nectaries, attracting bees and beneficial insects alike.
Photo courtesy of Thomas G. Barnes
Photo courtesy of Thomas G. Barnes
September 17, 2025 at 2:55 PM
The partridge pea is a pollinator favorite, even though its flowers don’t produce nectar! Instead, nectar comes from special glands called extrafloral nectaries, attracting bees and beneficial insects alike.
Photo courtesy of Thomas G. Barnes
Photo courtesy of Thomas G. Barnes
Would the Bee Orchid fool you? 🐝
September 11, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Would the Bee Orchid fool you? 🐝
It’s tomato season! 🍅
Derived from a single species native to South America, Solanum lycopersicum has spread worldwide and become a favorite food for many. But this beloved fruit wasn’t always celebrated, Its toxic relatives and a few “deadly dinners” gave it a bad reputation!
Derived from a single species native to South America, Solanum lycopersicum has spread worldwide and become a favorite food for many. But this beloved fruit wasn’t always celebrated, Its toxic relatives and a few “deadly dinners” gave it a bad reputation!
September 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
It’s tomato season! 🍅
Derived from a single species native to South America, Solanum lycopersicum has spread worldwide and become a favorite food for many. But this beloved fruit wasn’t always celebrated, Its toxic relatives and a few “deadly dinners” gave it a bad reputation!
Derived from a single species native to South America, Solanum lycopersicum has spread worldwide and become a favorite food for many. But this beloved fruit wasn’t always celebrated, Its toxic relatives and a few “deadly dinners” gave it a bad reputation!