WELCOME to the Robert Bebb Herbarium
of the University of Oklahoma
The Robert Bebb Herbarium houses
the largest collection of Oklahoma plants in the state and supports active
collections-based and laboratory-based research programs. The Herbarium contains historical records
and specimens and of virtually every vascular plant species in Oklahoma from
throughout the state since scientific plant collections were first
undertaken. Therefore, without leaving
one large room — the herbarium — one can examine plant diversity for the entire state of
Oklahoma and its adjacent regions.
The entrance to the Bebb Herbarium is framed by posters and news items relating to plant systematics
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The Herbarium is named for Robert Bebb,
a plant collector and florist from Muskogee
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Robert Bebb's father was Michael Bebb,
a noted American willow expert
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The Robert Bebb Herbarium is administered jointly by the Oklahoma Biological Survey and the Department of Botany and Microbiology. 'OKL' is the international acronym assigned to the Bebb Herbarium.
Please sign our guest book when you visit the herbarium
The Systematics Research and computer room is accessible via the Goodman Foyer
The Herbarium
The Bebb Herbarium has its own filtered air-handling and air-conditioning system, which maintains cool temperatures, low humidity, and positive air pressure in the herbarium. The herbarium is windowless, and is separated from stairwell, office, and lab spaces by doors with seals. Plant specimens are housed in more than 270 metal cabinets.
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Main corridor
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Filing specimens
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Flowering plants are filed according to the
Cronquist system
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Representative herbarium specimen of
Penstemon oklahomensis
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Mosses, liverworts, and lichens are
stored in envelopes organized in boxes
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The herbarium exhibits a large collection of botanical posters
A Halon fire suppression system protects
the collections
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Freezers are part of an integrated pest
management system in the herbarium
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The work room is located adjacent to the collections
Herbarium specimens are prepared
in the work room
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Most specimens are attached to
archival paper with white glue
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Type specimens are kept in a dedicated herbarium case
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Types are arranged alphabetically by family,
genus, and species
Type specimens are maintained in individual
folders with cardboard backing
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There are several identification stations throughout the herbarium
Data entry, bar coding, and computerization of collection information is a high priority for the Bebb Herbarium.
The Oklahoma Vascular Plants Database represents a searchable database of Oklahoma specimens deposited in all Oklahoma herbaria.
Visitors are always welcome!