Visitors are welcome during normal weekday business hours. However, well over half our specimens originate from areas outside the state. Every continent is represented, as are most major biomes and nearly every family of vascular plants. Many of the extra-Wisconsin specimens have been obtained by trading duplicate specimens with other collectors and herbaria. Among our most significant holdings is our collection of type specimens.
Types are the specimens upon which scientific names are based.
When a new species is discovered, described, and named, a type specimen must be designated. It serves as a standard of reference for the correct application of that name, much as the meter stick or kilogram weight at the Bureau of Standards serve as standards of reference for units of measure. The UW Oshkosh Herbarium includes over 70 type specimens. The herbarium is growing at the rate of 2000-3000 specimens per year. At this level, UW Oshkosh possesses the fourth largest herbarium in the state of Wisconsin.