HEBERLING LAB

 
‘Tis the season for spices.
 
Nutmeg is well known, but what is it?  Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) is an evergreen tree native to the Maluku Islands, an archipelago in Indonesia.  In fact, the Maluku Islands were even once known as the “Spice Islands” because nutmeg, mace, and cloves are endemic to the islands (meaning they are native there and nowhere else).  However, the species are now widely cultivated across the world. 


Both nutmeg and mace are made from Myristica fragrans, also known as fragrant or true nutmeg. The spice called nutmeg is made by grinding the seeds of this species, while mace is made from the fleshy seed covering (outgrowth from seed called an aril). 
 
This nutmeg specimen from the Carnegie Museum herbarium was collected in Trinidad on August 17, 1924 by Edward H. Graham.  Graham was an assistant in botany and later assistant curator of botany at the museum (from 1922-1937).
 
This specimen was collected as part of Graham’s research toward his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh.

Specimen image available online:
http://midatlanticherbaria.org/portal/collections/individual/index.php?occid=12088342&clid=0

High resolution specimen image available online here!

Not all plants have leaves.  Beech drops (Epifagus virginiana) is one such example. This specimen was collected on November 16, 1884 growing on the root of a beech tree (Fagus grandifolia) at the back of a cemetery in Allegheny county.  The specimen was collected by John Shafer, who a decade later became the first curator of botany at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.  Beech drops is a parasitic plant – rather than having leaves to photosynthesize, the species produces root-like structures (called haustorium) that parasitizes roots of beech trees. 

The genus “Epifagus” refers to this parasitism on beech (“epi”= upon; “fagus” = beech).

Beech drops are in the  broomrape family (Orobanchaceae), which is comprised mostly of parisitic plants.

Check out the beautiful, distinctive purple and white flowers in late summer to autumn.

Photo taken September 12, 2018 at Riddle Run, Springdale, Pennsylvania.

Perhaps not the most beautiful specimen in the collection, but check out the prickly stem! Former Carnegie Museum curator Otto Jennings described this species as “an obnoxious weed of farmlands and waste places” (1953).  This leafless specimen of Carolina nightshade (Solanum carolinense) was collected on November 9, 1915 in “Pittsburgh district” by Frank R. Alker. Carolina nightshade (also called horse nettle, wild tomato, and many other names) is in the potato/tomoato family (Solanaceae).  It is commonly found in disturbed and anthropogenic (human-made) environments, such as those in cities. 
 
Horse nettle is native to the Southeastern US, and now widely distributed as a naturalized species across the world. Although native to parts of the US (probably including PA), it is considered a noxious weed in some states.
 
This specimen is available virtually online at http://midatlanticherbaria.org/portal/collections/individual/index.php?occid=12257516&clid=0

Botanical signs of fall are everywhere, to name a few --  colorful leaves, apples, squash, pumpkins, and the many wild and cultivated fall flowers. Among the most popular plant flowers in fall are those in the genus Chrysanthemum (in the sunflower family, Asteraceae), or best known as simply “mums.” They are native to Asia, but many horticultural varieties exist. Mums have been cultivated by humans for at least several thousand years, with evidence in Chinese writings dating back to 15th century BC.
 
This beautiful mum specimen was collected in “Fall” in 1914 by John Jones at Phipps Conservatory, Schenley Park, Pittsburgh.
 
High resolution image available here: http://midatlanticherbaria.org/portal/collections/individual/index.php?occid=11826736&clid=0