Lichen collections

The lichen Xanthoria aureola

The lichen Xanthoria aureola

Specimens

400,000

Type specimens

10,000

Our lichen collection is one of the world's largest and an important research resource.

Strengths

The collection consists of about 400,000 specimens and at least 10,000 type specimens.

It contains important historical collections, such as material collected by:

  • E Acharius
  • J M Crombie
  • W A Leighton
  • J Stirton

The Museum no longer keeps collections of non-lichenised ascomycetes or basidiomycetes. This material was transferred to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on permanent loan.

Major collections

These include:

  • British and Irish Lichen Herbarium
  • General Lichen Herbarium
  • Non-incorporated collections
  • Acharius Herbarium (Erik Acharius)
  • English Botany (Smith and Sowerby collection)
  • Fungal Model Collection (J Sowerby)

Important historical collections

E Acharius

J M Crombie

W A Leighton

J Stirton

J Sowerby

Country of origin

The collections contain lichens and lichenicolous fungi from around the world including Britain, Ireland, Antarctic areas, Australia and New Zealand, Sri Lanka and India, and Thailand. 

 

Looking for a specimen?

The collection is being digitised

Any questions?

If you would like to use any specimens for research, please get in touch.

Senior curator

Collections on the move

Access to some collections will be affected as we prepare for the move to our new collections, science and digitisation centre.

Accessing the collections

Scientists and collections management specialists can visit the collections and borrow specimens for research.

Collections management

Our duty is to provide a safe and secure environment for all of our collections.