A microscopic image showing a cluster of diatoms illuminated in blue light against a dark background, with a scale bar indicating 20 micrometers.

UCF PBOT

Resources

Comparative Collections

Microscopic view of transparent cells or bubbles, varying in size, with a blue tint and a 20-micrometer scale for size reference.

Starch Grain Comparative Collection

Starch comparative samples from over 300 taxa from South America, North America, and Caribbean

Microscopic image of a cell surrounded by smaller particles, with a measurement scale indicating 20 micrometers.

Phytolith Comparative Collection

We curate the Dr. Deborah Pearsall Phytolith Comparative Collection begun under the Phytoliths in the Flora of Ecuador Project at the University of Missouri-Columbia as well as a growing comparative collection of North American and Amazonian taxa. 

Equipment and Facilites

A high-resolution microscope on a desk, equipped with multiple lenses and adjustment knobs, next to a computer mouse and scientific posters on the wall.

Zeiss AxioImager photo-microscopy

Leica microscope on a lab bench with a computer monitor in the background.

Leica Stereoscope photo-microscopy

A leica stereo microscope on a lit stage, surrounded by laboratory equipment and notebooks, in a research lab setting.

Leica Stereomicroscopes

Used for plant macroremains and charcoal analyses

A thermo scientific lindberg/blue m lab oven on a bench, surrounded by other laboratory equipment.

Muffle Furnace

Controlled temperature charring for comparative plant charring and anthracological sampls.

A microwave digestion system (multiwave go) on a lab counter, with white sample cups to the left and blue surroundings.

Microwave Digestion System

Rapid digestion for phytolith recovery from sediments and comparative sampling.

A boekel scientific laboratory incubator on a countertop, featuring a control knob and digital display on the front panel.

Drying Oven

A modern centrifuge machine on a laboratory bench, displaying speed settings on its digital panel.

Centrifuge

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