Lichen collections

Closeup of a yellow lichen — The lichen *Xanthoria aureola*

The lichen collection is one of the world’s largest and acts as an important resource for research.

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

Find a specimen

The collections are being digitised and are accessible via the Data Portal.

Specimen numbers

Specimens

400,000

Type specimens

10,000

Strengths

We hold important historical collections, such as material collected by:

E Acharius
J M Crombie
W A Leighton
J Stirton

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

Major collections

Major collections 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

Specimens of the lichen Neuropogon aurantiaco-atra collected by Charles Darwin.

Erik Acharius who is known as the father of lichenology.

Mounted Xanthoria parietina lichen specimens held in the Museum's crypt herbarium.

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.