Herbarium details: Dame Ella Campbell Herbarium (MPN)
Address: | Ecology Group |
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Phone: | +64 6 350 5799 ext. 7716 |
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Fax: | +64 6 350 5623 |
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Links: |
Location
Ecology Building, Institute of Natural Resources, Massey University, Palmerston North
Background
Foundation
1945 (as herbarium of the Department of Agricultural Botany).
Status
A university established with its own Act of Parliament and funded by the State.
Functions
To assist teaching and research in ecology, taxonomy, agronomy, and weed science.
Scope of Collections
The collection is basically of the native and naturalised flora of New Zealand, with only minor overseas holdings. There is an extensive collection of naturalised (exotic species naturally reproducing in New Zealand), cultivated and agricultural species. The geographic representation focuses on the lower half of the North Island, and the Volcanic Plateau.
Number of Collections
Estimated breakdown of the known number of specimens: |
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Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | 13000+ |
Pteridophytes | 1620+ |
Mosses | 365+ |
Liverworts | 109+ |
Lichens | 120+ |
Algae | 861+ |
E.A.Hodgson Collection | 14290 |
E.O. Campbell Collection | 3000+ |
J.M.McEwan Collection | 1000+ |
Total | 34366+ |
Computerisation
Akilles AREV programme.
Important collections
The largest and most important collection is Mrs E.A Hodgson´s bryophyte herbarium ( chiefly liverworts) which is kept separate and not open to undergraduate students. The oldest collection of vascular plants is that of B.E.G.Molesworth (1929–47)(Auckland and Canterbury). Other notable collections are the Ella Campbell bryophyte collection: the Agronomy Department collection : the McEwan Coprosma collection, and the R.Brooks serpentine species collection. The remainder of the general collection has been built up by past and present staff and students including E.O.Campbell, A.E.Esler, J.Ogden, M.E.Gordon, and M.B.Forde (nee Ashwin).
Ancillary Collections
The herbarium also houses a collection of research books and journals, a number of botanical artworks, and shelves of preserved specimens (though the major collection of pickles is stored in the Plant Ecology prep. Room). Additionally it contains a series of late 19th century folios of relevance to the history of the Manawatu.
Staff and Research
Curator: Dr Jill Rapson
Herbarium keeper: Mrs Lesley van Essen