Dennis Whigham

The ecology of plants is my primary interest and my research has resulted in journeys through forests, fields, and wetlands. Explorations led to studies of woodland herbs - including orchids, vines, wetland plants and tropical, temperate and boreal forests. Recently, studies of interactions between orchids and fungi have resulted in new and exciting directions. My current research focuses on the role of wetlands associated with juvenile salmon habitat in Alaska, the rarest terrestrial orchid in eastern North America, and an invasive wetland species that is rapidly expanding across the country. My current passion is to establish the North American Orchid Conservations Center (NAOCC), an initiative of the Smithsonian Institution and the United States Botanic Garden. NAOCC's mission is to secure the genetic diversity of native orchids for future generations. I have a BA from Wabash College and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. I have been at the Smithsonian for 45 years.