Live Specimens

Nephrolepis bostoniensis. Often used for plant tissue culture experiments and for demonstrating the structure and growth habits of a typical fern. It is widely grown in North America. It is supplied in a pot with care instructions. Size: approximately 6".

Begonia sp. Dicot. A fibrous rooted flowering plant native to the tropics can also be maintained in the classroom. The Rex Begonia has larger, variegated leaves. It is supplied in a pot with care instructions. Size: 4–8".

Sarracenia purpurea var. Dicot. This plant’s unusual hollow, red-and-green pitcher-shaped leaves are used to trap insects for the plant’s food. The leaves hold water in which trapped insects drown and decompose; the leaves absorb the nutrients from the decomposed insects. It is native to acidic bogs in temperate regions, although some species are found in tropical areas. It prefers acidic conditions in terrariums and comes supplied in a pot with care instructions. Size: 4–6".

Mimosa pudica. Dicot. Also known as a sensitive plant, it is an ideal illustration of thigmotropism, or response to touch. The plant's leaves close when touched, and wilt or even drop off under more severe conditions but recovers quickly when the stimulus is taken away. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas and prefers a moist environment. It is supplied in a pot with care instructions. Size: 4–8".

Coleus sp. Dicot. Similar to standard Coleus, with white-tinged leaves indicating the absence of chlorophyll. It is supplied in a pot with care instructions. Size: 5–8".

Pelargonium or Geranium zonale. Dicot. With large, rounded leaves and upright growth habit, this plant is distributed worldwide. It is supplied in a pot with care instructions. Size: 6–8".

This specimen produces plantlets on the leaf margins. Plantlets can be planted in their own pots, providing an interesting hands-on activities for students.

Drosera sp. Dicot. Rosettes of leaves, radiating from a central stem, trap small insects in leaf hairs, while glands on each tip exude a sticky substance that helps trap the bugs. It is native to acidic bogs in temperate regions and prefers a warm, humid environment. It comes supplied in a pot with care instructions. Size: 2–4".

Usually Marchantia polymorphum. Marchantia can be used as an example of growth and development of liverworts, as well as to illustrate alternation of generations. Found throughout North America, the plant prefers moist, shaded soil. Marchantia frequently grows where other vegetation has been burned off. It is supplied in a plastic bag with care instructions. Size: 3"x4".

Polytrichum sp. Haircap moss. A widely studied example of a typical moss, with leafy, upright growth habit that shows alternation of generations. Appearance may vary, depending on season; it may show antheridia, archegonia, or sporophyte. It is supplied in a plastic bag with care instructions. Size: 3" x 4".

Mixed varieties; species will vary. Excellent for general study or populating terrariums. It is supplied in a plastic bag with care instructions. Size: 3" x 4".

Wheat rust. All spore stages: pycnia, aecia, telia, and uredia.

Bazzania trilopata or Trichocolea tomantella. General green variety. It is supplied in a plastic bag with care instructions. Size: 3" x 4".

Sphagnum sp. Sphagnum grows in spongy red or brown mats in boggy areas and thrives in terrariums. It is supplied in a plastic bag with care instructions. Size: 3" x 4".

Podocarpus sp. This attractive evergreen, with fleshy yew-like leaves, is adaptable to a variety of environmental conditions. Originally native to the temperate forests of the southern hemisphere, especially New Zealand, it is supplied in a pot with care instructions. Size: 6".

Tradescantia virginiana or similar. Monocot. This hardy, easy-to-grow ornamental plant can be used for studying meiotic division in mother cells of pollen. Cytoplasmic flows can be seen in cell hairs on staminate filaments. It is native to tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas and is supplied in a pot with care instructions. Size: 6".