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The collections are being digitised and are accessible via the Data Portal.
Fern collections
Specimens from the fern herbarium including examples of Dipteris, Pityrogramma and Matonia
We house one of the most important collections of ferns and other seed-free vascular plants in the world, with around 350,000 specimens.
The collections contain a number of type specimens with some objects dating back more than 300 years.
Specimens
350,000
Type specimens
7,000
Strengths
The collections cover global fern diversity and have particular geographical strengths in:
- Europe and the British Isles
- Malesia
- South Asia
- Tropical America
- Macaronesia
The collections span the seventeenth century to the present day. They are especially valuable due to their richness in types, historical collections and cytological vouchers.
Our fern type specimens are estimated to exceed 7,000, representing around 20 per cent of published fern names.
Senior curator
Contact the curator
If you have any questions or would like to use specimens for research, please get in touch.
Specimens
Extant ferns: 255,000
Lycophytes: 25,000
Type specimens
Extant ferns: 6,600
Lycophytes: 400
Material type
Herbarium sheets: 275,000
Spirit collection: 1,000
Microscope preparations: 400
Unicorporated collections: 60,000
Important collections
- Carl Christensen's Herbarium
- John Smith's Herbarium
- A.H.G. Alston
- Clive Jermy
- Trevor Walker
- Christopher Fraser-Jenkins
- Irene Manton
- Irene Manton's research students, including Anne Sleep and Mary Gibby
John Smith herbarium specimen of Gleichenia dicarpa.
Carl Christensen herbarium specimen of Blotiella glabra from Africa.
Close-up of a Dryopteris dilatata herbarium specimen.
Learn more about the collections
Accessing the collections
Find out how to arrange a visit to the collections and access specimens for research.
Collections management
Find out how we fulfil our duty to provide a safe and secure environment for the collections in our care.
Collections on the move
Discover how we are preparing for the UK’s largest collections move and which collections will have limited access.