Herbarium Digitarium

Who We Are

Founded in 1907 by Dr. Andrew Charles Moore, the A.C. Moore Herbarium at the University of South Carolina is the largest collection of scientifically prepared plant specimens in the state. Through active programs in field botany and exchange with partner organizations, our collection continues to grow adding about 2,000 new accessions annually. Dedicated staff includes a full time curator supported by the Department of Biology and 1 to 2 part time undergraduate work study students supported by the Wade T. Batson Endowment for the A.C. Moore Herbarium. A major part of our workforce relies on hours of service provided by dedicated volunteers (including students, Master Gardeners, and Research Affiliates), all expertly trained in the handling, mounting, and digitization of fragile voucher specimens. In order to better preserve and facilitate access to this invaluable collection, herbarium staff and volunteers began digitizing specimens in the year 2000. The herbarium continues to be a leader in publishing research-grade digital images of plant voucher specimens and associated collecting information. Specimen images and metadata are available in the regionally-focused SERNEC data portal  and shared globally via GBIF. As our contribution to these online communities has increased, so has the annual cost to ensure the data and images can remain available to support teaching and research.

The Project

The Herbarium needs help in meeting our fundraising goal so we can continue to provide online access to our collections for the Carolina community and beyond! Our Herbarium Digitarium Fundraiser Month runs from October 26 – November 23. 

Since the year 2000, the Herbarium has relied on the most cost effective (free) database options available. Grant funding for this service has expired and we now must cover costs associated with specimen image hosting ($4,500) and database maintenance and development ($1,500). We are reaching out to the communities we serve and asking for support to help us meet our goals so we can continue providing the highest quality botanical information resource.

Left: Specimen of Earpod Tree. Center: QR code link to digitized specimen. Right: Digitized specimen - check out the "Associations" on this record for a 3D scan of the ear-like fruit!

The Impact

The Herbarium provides students with the opportunity to engage in the management of South Carolina's largest collection of scientifically prepared plant voucher specimens. Students are exposed to all facets of herbarium work and can gain technical expertise making them more valuable in the workforce.

The Herbarium supports the interest and engagement of students in botany and collections management. In addition to curating the physical specimens, our commitment to providing online access to specimen images and data supports botanical research and conservation.

The Herbarium enriches the local community. With our monthly Botany Walks on the Historic Horseshoe and appearances on SCETV's Making It Grow!, herbarium staff strive to get people excited about learning to identify plants and appreciating their intrinsic value.

What Your Gifts Will Do

Donations will cover the costs associated with the Herbarium's online collections data and images (about 126,000 and counting). Each digitized specimen costs about 4¢ which means a donation of just $5.00 will sustain 125 digital specimens. More importantly, your support of the Herbarium Digitarium will ensure that we can continue to offer 1 to 2 work study positions for qualified undergraduate students and make research awards available.  With our continued growth, rising costs for basic supplies (glue, paper, stamps and ink), and the added costs for sustaining online access to our specimen database, we require your support.

Thank you for your support!

Without the support of our community, The A.C. Moore Herbarium would not be able to provide rich learning experiences for students and the botanical information resources that we have offered since 1907.