New Zealand
National Herbarium Network
Herbarium details: University of Canterbury Herbarium (CANU)
| Address: | Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences |
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| Phone: | +64 3 364 2730 |
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| Fax: | +64 3 364 2083 |
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Links: |
Location
Off Creyke Road, Ilam, Christchurch
Background
Foundation
1958
Status
A university established with its own Act of Parliament and funded by the state. The herbarium is attached to, and administered by, the Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences of the univeristy.
Functions
To provide material for research, reference and teaching, and to serve as a repository for voucher specimens and departmental research collections.
Scope of Collections
Indigenous and adventive plants from New Zealand and outlying islands only except for Compositae. Some foreign collections of Compositae, mainly Tasmanian. Greatest geographic strength is Canterbury, particularly Cass area. Greatest systematic strength is in the Compositae. Of historical interest is material collected by R.M. Laing, C.A. Foweraker, and D. Petrie.
Number of Collections
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Estimated breakdown of the known number of specimens: |
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|---|---|
| Angiosperms | 28 450 |
| Gymnosperms | 650 |
| Pteridophytes | 2 700 |
| Mosses | 3 050 |
| Liverworts | 500 |
| Lichens | 750 |
| Algae | 5 00 |
| Total | 41 000 |
Important collections
The R.M. Laing algal herbarium (5000 specimens) which is now at CHR on long–term loan.
The major collectors represented in the herbarium are: C.J. Burrows, A.T. Dobson, B.A. Fineran, E.A. Hodgson, M.T. Kalin, R.M. Laing, D.A. Norton, W.R. Philipson, J.M. Ward, R.K. Wilson.
Ancillary Collections
Spirit collection, mainly Compositae (Gnaphalieae and Senecioneae).
Plant macrofossils, Triassic–Tertiary. Wood samples.
Staff and Research
Herbarium Curator: Dr Pieter Pelser
Herbarium Manager: Reijel Gardiner
No full time staff.