Digitizing Highstead Arboretum’s Herbarium

This past week, we had the opportunity to work in Connecticut digitizing Highstead Arboretum’s herbarium. Implementing all of the changes we made to our procedures at Mohonk, we finished imaging over 1,400 specimens representing 323 genera in just four days. This collection was not only pristine, but it was also the first herbarium associated with an arboretum that we have encountered. Because of this, we were able to get much more familiar with cultivated specimens, cultivar nomenclature, and hybrid species. 

Being six weeks into our URSI project, we have really noticed our new field botany skills. Starting on Tuesday, during our drive down, we noticed an odd mycoheterotrophic plant (meaning that it does not contain chlorophyll and, instead, acts as a parasite on fungal hosts) along the side of the road and had a lively conversation about it with Dr. Schlessman. Coincidentally, later that day, we came across the same genus, Monotropa, within the herbarium. While the form and structure looked nearly identical to what we had seen alongside the road, except that the living plants were white, due to lack of chlorophyll, while the dried ones were nearly pitch black.

On our last day, we imaged the genus Acer, in the family Sapindaceae, more commonly known as the maple trees. With specimens in hand, we had fun comparing the species and learning how to identify those common in our area based purely on leaf morphology. This practice became very relevant later in the day as we took a short walk along the trails of the arboretum and encountered almost all of the species that we had been talking about earlier. We were excited to show Dr. Schlessman our new skills, and he immediately and enthusiastically introduced us to more holistic identification skills that went beyond simple leaf morphology.

Our time at Highstead was filled with multiple stories, lessons, and research ideas, which we are excited to explore in the future. We would like to extend our thanks to Geordie Elkins, Kathleen Kitka, and everyone at the Highstead Barn for such warm hospitality and lively conversation. 

Alison Carranza ‘23 and Garrett Goodrich ‘23