Dr. Benito C. Tan (Benito_Tan@nparks.gov.sg) is the current Keeper of the Herbarium and Botanical Library. He is both a well-trained bryologist and pteridologist. As one of the world authorities of Southeast Asian and East Asian moss taxonomy and biogeography, Dr Benito has been elected to serve as the Vice President of the International Association of Bryologists (IAB) for a six years term from 2005 to 2011. He also serves as a committee member of the IUCN-IAB Bryophyte Species Commodity in charge of monitoring the world most endangered mosses. With strong interest in plant nomenclature, he is an elected member of the Bryophyte Nomenclatural Committee of the International Botanical Congress. His publications include more than 250 scientific papers and chapters of books on bryophyte taxonomy, systematics, ecology, biogeography and conservation. At present, he is revising the family Sematophyllaceae and Hookeriaceae for SE Asia and East Asia. He is an associate editor of a number of international refereed bryological journals, including Cryoptogamie, Bryologie (France), and Tropical Bryology (Germany), and is a member of the Editorial Board of Arctoa (Russia), Chenia (China) and Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica (Japan). He is the incumbent Editor of the Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore published yearly by the Singapore Botanic Gardens.
 
Dr. George Staples (George_Staples@nparks.gov.sg) is engaged on taxonomic studies of tropical Asian and Southeast Asian Convolvulaceae (morning glory or kang-kong family). Recent publications include revisions of Porana and allied genera, and taxonomic reviews for Rivea, Lepistemon, and new species of Operculina. There are taxonomic works in progress on Asian Ipomoea, Merremia, Neuropeltis, and Argyreia, as well as floras for Thailand, peninsular Malaysia, and other Asian countries. George has broad interests in botany including the taxonomy of cultivated plants, invasive species issues, plant nomenclature, the history of botany (especially history of plant introductions), and the botany of useful and edible plants. He has published three books to date: A Tropical Garden Flora (2005); Hawai‘i’s Invasive Species (2001); Ethnic Culinary Herbs (1999). He serves on the Editorial Board for Garden’s Bulletin Singapore and the Edinburgh Journal of Botany.

Dr. Hubert Kurzweil (hubert_kurzweil@nparks.gov.sg) in involved in various studies in Orchidaceae. In collaboration with botanists in the United Kingdom he is currently revising the taxonomy of the genus Calanthe, a terrestrial orchid genus with great horticultural potential. It will ultimately result in the publication of a comprehensive, well-illustrated book on the genus. His other projects are the taxonomic accounts of several orchid genera for the Flora of Thailand Project as well as contributions to the very diverse but poorly known orchid flora of Myanmar.

Dr. Mark Hughes (mark_hughes@nparks.gov.sg)is working on SE Asian Begonia, which is one of the worlds largest flowering plant genera and which has a hotspot of diversity in our region. He has recently published an online checklist (http://elmer.rbge.org.uk/Begonia/) which includes nearly 6000 specimen images and protologues for around 700 names. Current research is focused on producing a monograph and field guide for the Begonia of Sumatra, as well as regional accounts for other parts of SE Asia in collaboration with local botanists.

Dr. Jana Leong-Skornickova (jana_skornickova@nparks.gov.sg) is working on Asian Zingiberaceae. Her prime focus of interest is on the genus Curcuma. Currently, she is revising the Curcuma flora for Indian Subcontinent. Her other research interests cover taxonomy and nomenclature of historical plant names, and gingers of Indian Subcontinent and Borneo. She is at present an Assistant Editor of Garden’s Bulletin Singapore.

The Herbarium sends material on loan and in exchange to recognized institutes (see Index Herbariorum), both locally and abroad. 

Locally, the Herbarium plays an important advisory role in identifying both wild and cultivated plant species from Singapore.  For details or information, please contact Ms Serena Lee, Herbarium Manager, at 64719870 or email her at serena_lee@nparks.gov.sg

Supporting the research arm of Singapore Botanic Gardens is the Library of Botany and Horticulture, with a large collection of old and new, relevant books and periodicals. Click here to find out more.

In 2001, the Singapore Botanic Gardens was appointed by the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) as the International Registration Authority for Curcuma Cultivars. The permanent record for each registered cultivar, the standard portfolio, is lodged at the SING herbarium. We encourage growers to register their cultivar names promptly. More information and application forms for registering Curcuma cultivars can be found at http://curcuma.sbg.org.sg/