Herbarium and Networks Herbarium and Networks Image Morris Herbarium Image The Morris is home to the Herbarium of the Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania. What is an herbarium? Think of it as a library of preserved plants. Each specimen is a snapshot in time, documenting where and when a plant was collected and providing a valuable resource for research. Together, herbarium collections help scientists track changes in plant distributions, study biodiversity, and better understand how plants respond to environmental change. Often described as a "time machine" for plant research, herbaria offer insights that can span decades or even centuries. The Morris herbarium, known as MOAR , contains more than 27,000 specimens, with strengths in Pennsylvania flora and wild-collected plants that support research on temperate species and the Morris's living collections. Mid-Atlantic Herbaria Consortium The Morris Plant Science Department proudly coordinates the Mid-Atlantic Herbaria Consortium (MAHC) , a consortium of 30+ herbaria from the Mid-Atlantic region (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia). MAHC grew out of the Mid-Atlantic Megalopolis Project (2016 – 2021), a highly successful herbarium specimen digitization project lead by Morris Arboretum & Gardens and funded by the National Science Foundation of the US. The aim of MAHC is to get as many of our herbarium specimens from the region as possible digitized, with high-resolution images, transcribed field data, and georeferenced points. MAHC works together to create a portal of virtual herbaria with these digitized records to complement our physical herbaria, providing free online access to nearly 3 million specimens for researchers and the public alike. We welcome any Mid-Atlantic herbaria to get in touch ( midatlanticherbaria@gmail.com or botany@morrisarboretum.org ), if they are interested in joining the consortium. Selected Plant Science Publications …

Garden Explorer Garden Explorer Image Image Get closer to our collections with the  NEW Garden Explorer! Use your mobile device while in the Garden to explore plants, view images, and learn about points of interest. Search by plant name, accession number, or garden feature to find exactly what you are looking for. Turn on location services to see where you are on the map and locate nearby amenities like restrooms and parking. You can also access the map from your computer through our website to explore the collection or plan your next visit. It’s the Morris right at your fingertips. Start Exploring →   Plant Collection More than 11,000 accessioned plants of over 2,500 taxa are growing in the Morris’s living collection. These include representatives of the temperate floras of North America, Asia, and Europe. This historic collection traces its foundation to John Morris’s interest in plants from around the world and includes plants collected in China by E.H. Wilson at the turn of the century. Many of the Delaware Valley’s "trees of record" (the largest of their kind) are found in the Morris. Most notable are the katsura and the trident maple.  Staff members have regularly engaged in plant-collecting expeditions in Asia and the United States, increasing the different kinds of plants available for today’s urban and community landscapes. Currently, plants from 30 countries are represented in the collection, with a primary focus on Asian temperate species. Significant plant groups in the Morris’s collection include maples, magnolia species, native azaleas, members of the witchhazel family, roses, hollies, and conifers.  What's in Bloom calendar  →  Image   The Catalogue of Plants in the Living Collection  A catalogue of plants in the living collection is available at the front desk of the Widener Visitor Center. Most of the plants in the Morris are labeled and mapped, and this catalogue can lead you to plants in which you have an interest.  …

Research & Collections Research & Collections Image Plant science has been at the heart of Morris Arboretum & Gardens of the University of Pennsylvania for more than a century, helping establish the Morris as one of the nation's leading university-based arboreta. Today, our Plant Science team advances knowledge of plant biodiversity, evolution, floristics, taxonomy, conservation, and the complex relationships between plants and the ecosystems they support. This work builds on a longstanding commitment to documenting and understanding the flora of Pennsylvania, resulting in landmark publications such as   The Plants of Pennsylvania . Drawing on this strong foundation, we lead and contribute to regional, national, and international collaborations that advance botanical science and support plant conservation around the world. With the opening of our new Plant Science Lab in 2025, the Morris is now poised to expand its impact even further, creating new opportunities for research, discovery, and scientific partnership. Image Meet the Plant Science Team Learn More Image Plant Science Lab Learn More Image Herbarium & Networks Learn More Image Garden Explorer Learn …

The Morris in Progress The Morris in Progress Image The Morris in Progress: Current Closures & Projects At Morris, we’re always working to enhance our landscapes, improve accessibility, and preserve our historic collections. During this time, some areas may be temporarily closed or have limited access while we complete improvement projects. Please check the list below before your visit to avoid any disappointment. Thank you for your understanding as we make these updates.   Last updated: July 16, 2026 Ongoing / Until further notice The Fernery will be closed to the public Monday 7/20 through Friday 7/24 (and potentially longer) to replace the vestibule windows Seven Arches — Under construction; limited access Seasonal Closings Morris fountains Garden Railway   Questions or need assistance? Please visit Know Before You Go or contact us at (215) 247-5777. …