Herbarium:    Arkansas State University Herbarium (STAR)

Biological Sciences Department/Arkansas State University/P.O. Box 599/State University, AR 72467-0599, U.S.A.

History: Founded in 1946.  Number of specimens 24,000.  Important collections:  D. Demaree, A. E. Radford, E. L. Richards, A. B. Seymour, S. M. Williamson, E. B. Wittlake (Bryophytes). 

Curator:  Staria S. Vanderpool (1994 - present) (Flora of Arkansas, Capparaceae, Plant conservation biology)

Curator Emeritas:  Edward L. Richards (1963 - 1994) (Flora of Crowley's Ridge, Flora of Arkansas, taxonomy of Ratibida (Asteraceae)

Resources:  The Arkansas State University herbarium is a research collection housed at Arkansas State University, Laboratory Sciences East, Room 406.  The collection is representative of  the regional flora of Arkansas and the adjoining area. Current holdings are estimated at 24,000 curated specimens. 

The herbarium is a resource for scientists investigating regional flora, or concentrating on specific taxonomic groups represented in the region.  We have a substantial resource of research materials and an irreplaceable source of bioinformation that is utilized by research scientists in the state, by plant conservation biologists, government and private management agencies and by plant taxonomists. Information provided includes distribution, historical and modern distribution information, population information, and morphological information. It is provided to researchers in a variety of forms. We maintain an active exchange of materials, a loan program, and data information derived from museum specimens. The herbarium is a central component of my research program and my students' research programs in my continuing work with the Capparaceae, and in our investigations of Solidago, Trillium, Carex, and Oenothera.

Current research activities using the research collection:

bulletFlora of Arkansas Project; inventory the ASU research collection for Atlas for the Flora of Arkansas Project
bulletFlora of Arkansas Project; preparation of manuscripts for the plant families Acanthaceae, Asteraceae (Solidago), Capparaceae, Fumariaceae, Gentianaceae, Linaceae, Lythraceae, Polygalaceae, Portulacaceae
bulletPopulation genetics and taxonomic status of Oenothera pilosella ssp. sessilis.
bulletPopulation genetics and evolution of Solidago riddellii: A model system for genetic consequences of rapid migration. (With L. V. Hoang)
bulletPopulation genetics and evolutionary history of Carex bicknellii var. opaca. (With Beth Packer)
bulletTrillium in Arkansas. (With Jasa Holt)