Collection Improvement: Curating the plant specimens of Dr. Robert F. Thorne at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (RSA-POM)

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont CA

Investigators

Abstract

The herbarium at Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden is global in scope owing notably to the career of Dr. Robert F. Thorne (b. 1920). Thorne is best known for his classification system for flowering plants. Before modern phylogenetic methods and DNA data, Thorne?s system presaged later phylogenetic results. Thorne?s research was supported by extensive collecting (>65,000 numbers); nearly 15,000 remain unaccessioned. These include specimens from areas and of taxa that are poorly represented in U.S. herbaria. This is a two-year project to process the Thorne backlog. Specimen data will be captured into the herbarium?s database as part of label-making. Industry standards will be used to produce herbarium specimens that will endure. All work will be by trained personnel supervised by permanent staff who have years of experience. Accessioning these specimens will document the collecting that informed Thorne?s ideas on plant relationships. Herbarium specimens underpin knowledge of plant diversity on Earth, images of specimens are used to illustrate publications, and specimens provide material for DNA. At least two individuals will be trained in all aspects of plant specimen processing. RSABG has an excellent record of recruiting entry-level assistants and nurturing them into skilled members of the staff. RSABG participates in regional programs for students from ethnic groups that are underrepresented in science and news of opportunities on this project will be disseminated through these.