Y Life Science

Discovering Cryptic Plant Species in our own Backyard

Bean Life Science Museum Season 5 Episode 5

In this episode of Y Life Science, we talk with Dr. Leigh Johnson, curator of the Bean Life Science Museum herbarium, about how plant species are named and classified. Using the genus Navarretia as a case study, Dr. Johnson explains how herbaria support research on plant diversity, species boundaries, and evolution.

This episode was recorded on November 14, 2025