Eastern Kentucky University

Department of Biological Sciences

Herbarium

Curator:  Dr. Ronald L. Jones

Eastern Kentucky University Herbarium (EKY)
Memorial Science 170 and Coates15
Richmond, Kentucky 40475 USA

The EKU Herbarium was founded in 1974 by Dr. J. Stuart Lassetter, who curated it until 1981. At that time the collection numbered about 9,000 specimens. From 1981 to the present, Dr. Ronald L. Jones has served as the Curator. As of Summer, 2007, the collection numbered almost 70,000 specimens. The growth rate in the last few years has been about 3,000 specimens a year. Most specimens are from central and eastern Kentucky, but also there is a good representation of western Kentucky and of the southeastern United States. A number of important sets of specimens are housed at the EKU Herbarium, including sets from Lilley Cornett Woods, Maywoods Environmental and Educational Laboratory, Brodhead Swamp, the headwater regions of the Green River, collections from the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, a portion of the Mary Wharton collection, and county collections from Madison, Estill, and Jackson Counties. Currently many specimens collected by E.T. Browne and Raymond Athey in the 1960's nd 1970's, originally housed at Memphis State University, and now stored at the University of Tennessee Herbarium, are now being processed at EKY. The special interests of the Curators and Associate Curators are given below. For recent faculty publications, see individual faculty homepages.

The EKU Herbarium is currently involved in a database project. With the assistance of Mr. Charlie Lapham (lapham@scrtc.blue.net) of Glasgow, Kentucky, we have developed a unique software package "Index Kentuckiensis." This program involves the use of Microsoft Access for databasing and MicroCam for mapping. With this software it is possible to make labels with a variety of formats, database the information, and make journal quality county distribution maps. Anyone interested in learning more about our database program is welcome to contact Mr. Lapham or the Curator.

The EKU Herbarium provides loans for systematic studies, and annotations are welcome. The herbarium has participated in several exchange programs, and we are interested in developing more exchange opportunities. Gifts of labeled specimens or duplicates for identification are welcome. Visits by the general public and specialists are welcome, but please call ahead for appointments.

For a checklist of the Kentucky flora click "Vascular Plant Checklist."

Current Staff & their Research Interests

Curator:

Dr. Ronald Jones
Ph. 606-622-6257
Email:  ron.jones@eku.edu

Research Interests: Systematics of Aster and Helianthus, vascular flora of Kentucky, vascular flora of Cumberland Plateau wetlands, & flora of the southeastern United States

Associate Curators:

Dr. Ross C. Clark
Phone:  606-622-3056
Email:  ross.clark@eku.edu
Research Interests:  Aquifoliaceae & woody plants

Dr. David A. Eakin
Phone:  606-622-2258
Email:  david.eakin@eku.edu
Research Interest:  Bryophytes

Mr. Timothy J. Weckman
Phone:  606-622-1533
Email:  tj.weckman@eku.edu
Research Interest:  Viburnum