Herbarium
The University of Melbourne Herbarium (MELU) was officially opened in 1926 when a collection of specimens was donated to the School of Botany by Reverend Herman M.R. Rupp. The Herbarium has since become a vital teaching and research resource within the School of Botany. Specimens used for research across the University are deposited in the Herbarium, providing re-testable evidence of the scientific findings. Through these contributions, students’ collections and other donations, today the Herbarium contains some 100,000 specimens and continues to grow. Although focusing on the flora of the State of Victoria, the collection contains plants from all major groups (fungi, mosses, liverworts, lichens, algae, ferns, gymnosperms and flowering plants) from all parts of the world.
There are different types of collections housed at the University of Melbourne Herbarium:
- Reference Collection comprising mainly Victorian plants, and serving as an important aid in the identification of plants collected in the field;
- Teaching collections for use by undergraduate plant science students in locations such as Studley Park, Bogong High Plains and north-western Victoria;
- Special Collections covering specific plant groups including red algae, macrofungi, mosses, liverworts and eucalypts. These contain many ‘nomenclatural types’, the individual specimens that define their species according to the international code governing plant taxonomy. These collections have great scientific value.
Loans
If scientists are unable to visit the Herbarium, specimens are lent to botanists in Australia and internationally for research. Non-scientific intuitions may also borrow specimens for teaching or exhibition displays.
Volunteer Work
The Herbarium offers a volunteer and extracurricular work experience programs for undergraduate students of the University.
Further Information
For further information and contact details see:
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