Oakes Ames (/eɪmz/; September 26, 1874 – April 28, 1950) was an American biologist specializing in orchids.

They also developed the Ames Charts, illustrating the phylogenetic relationships of the major useful plants, which are still used.

Ames most notable accomplishment is building an extensive orchid herbarium, with library, photographs, and paintings, which he gave to Harvard in 1938.

Hall, James Laird Macfarlane [Wikidata], Dorothy H. Marsh, Henry Moon, Magdalena Peña de Sousa, Eleanor B. Phillips, Charles Schweinfurth, Elmer W. Smith, Charles Storer, and unknown artists.

[4][5] As the museum's second director, he oversaw the final stages of the creation of the famous Glass Flowers collection, exchanging a letter with the patron sponsor of the enterprise, Miss Mary Lee Ware during her second trip to Dresden, Germany in 1908 visiting Rudolf Blaschka, one of the Flowers' makers.

[9]Why exactly he was disturbed is unknown, but Ames found his solution in what he referred to as "Economic Botany", asking Rudolf Blaschka to make glass Olea europaea (Olive) and Vitis vinifera (Common Grape Vine), a request which Rudolf answered with alacrity and became a series of glass fruits in both rotting and edible condition.

[10] However, Prof. Ames continues to exchange letters with Miss Ware discussing the project, namely the quality and speed of production as Rudolf ages, discussions which on Ames' part vary from controlled excitement to continued concern regarding the project and Rudolf's continuing ability to produce in a satisfactory manner.

But Tom Barbour certainly looks a bit disgusted when visitors to the Agassiz Museum asks if the giraffe is made of glass."