Scientific Value
The collection is notable for its holdings of Canadian and northern U. S. plant species near the southern margin of their geographic range. The oldest specimen in the collection dates from 1846 (Florida), but most voucher specimens are from the 1940s through the present.
Plant scientists visit the herbarium for the purpose of examining specimens that are important in their research, or they may arrange for a loan of specimens to be sent to their home institution. Duplicates of specimens collected by UMD botanists are sometimes provided to other herbaria, usually in exchange for specimens we receive from them. The Olga Lakela Herbarium is listed in Index Herbariorum, with its international code being DUL.
Since 1990, Olga Lakela Herbarium personnel have provided the first documentation for the occurrence of many species outside of cultivation in their respective states. These first-occurring species are listed below.
Additional information can be found at the University of Minnesota Herbarium and the Wisconsin State Herbarium.
Digital Collections
With support from the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF), museum staff from the Bell Museum (University of Minnesota Twin Cities) and the Olga Lakela Herbarium (University of Minnesota Duluth) joined forces to produce high-resolution digital images for all specimens in the DUL collection. Today, thanks to their hard work, you can find the vast majority of DUL specimens online via the Minnesota Biodiversity Atlas.Â
Type Specimens
A listing of the nomenclatural type specimens held by the Lakela Herbarium is provided.