Bebb Herbarium header:  Prairie flowers
Bebb Herbarium logo


WELCOME to the Robert Bebb Herbarium
of the University of Oklahoma

Bebb plate

 

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.

Herbarium entrance
The entrance to the Bebb Herbarium is framed by posters and news items relating to plant systematics

Robert Bebb portrait Michael Bebb portrait
The Herbarium is named for Robert Bebb,
a plant collector and florist from Muskogee
Robert Bebb's father was Michael Bebb,
a noted American willow expert


Oklahoma Biological Survey logo OKL logo

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.



Herbarium Visitors Register
Please sign our guest book when you visit the herbarium



Systematics Research Lab
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.

Main corridor photo Filing photo
Main corridor Filing specimens

Filing cabinet indicating Cronquist system Herbarium specimen
Flowering plants are filed according to the
Cronquist system
Representative herbarium specimen of
Penstemon oklahomensis


Cabinet with boxes
Mosses, liverworts, and lichens are
stored in envelopes organized in boxes
Open box showing cards
Card with specimen


Posters on wall
The herbarium exhibits a large collection of botanical posters



Fire suppression system
A Halon fire suppression system protects
the collections
Freezers""
Freezers are part of an integrated pest
management system in the herbarium


Bebb Workroom
The work room is located adjacent to the collections



Sample herbarium specimen with weights
Herbarium specimens are prepared
in the work room
Sample herbarium specimen being glued to sheet
Most specimens are attached to
archival paper with white glue
Type Specimen cabinet
Type specimens are kept in a dedicated herbarium case
Type specimen arrangement
Types are arranged alphabetically by family,
genus, and species

Type specimen
Type specimens are maintained in individual
folders with cardboard backing


Identification Station
There are several identification stations throughout the herbarium



Student entering data
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!

Bebb Herbarium poster

This page is sponsored by the Oklahoma Biological Survey
OU logo
Disclaimer