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96-787: The larger part of the plant specimens collected during the Ross expedition are now part of the Kew Herbarium . Although Hooker professed not to have changed his views on Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection , the book contains an introductory essay on biogeography written from a Darwinian point of view, making the book the first case study for the theory. The British government fitted out an expedition led by James Clark Ross to investigate magnetism and marine geography in high southern latitudes, which sailed with two ships, HMS Terror and HMS Erebus on 29 September 1839 from Chatham. The ships arrived, after several stops, at

192-480: A set that includes some organisms and excludes others, based on a detailed published description (for example a species description ) and on the provision of type material, which is usually available to scientists for examination in a major museum research collection, or similar institution. According to a precise set of rules laid down in the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) and

288-407: A clonotype. In zoological nomenclature , the type of a species or subspecies is a specimen or series of specimens. The type of a genus or subgenus is a species. The type of a suprageneric taxon (e.g., family, etc.) is a genus. Names higher than superfamily rank do not have types. A "name-bearing type" is a specimen or image that "provides the objective standard of reference whereby the application of

384-553: A crucial modern application of the collections. DNA can be extracted from specimens hundreds of years old, helping construct plant family trees and rearrange taxonomic classifications. According to David Mabberley , former keeper of the Herbarium, this has led to significant reorganization of collections, with an estimated 10–12% of plants being reassigned to different families based on genetic evidence rather than physical appearances. The herbarium's role in modern species discovery

480-475: A detailed statistical analysis conducted in 1970 revealed that these earlier estimates had been inflated. The study, which sampled 279 pigeonholes from a total of 64,199, established that the herbarium contained approximately 4,188,000 specimens, including about 275,000 type specimens . By 2024, the collection had grown to approximately seven million specimens. The Kew Herbarium houses approximately seven million preserved vascular plant specimens, making it one of

576-414: A diagnosis (typically, a discussion of similarities to and differences from closely related species), and an indication of where the type specimen or specimens are deposited for examination. The geographical location where a type specimen was originally found is known as its type locality . In the case of parasites, the term type host (or symbiotype) is used to indicate the host organism from which

672-431: A ground floor and two galleries connected by two spiral staircases and lit by forty-eight windows. A second hall of the same dimensions was completed around 1903. The facility underwent several further expansions between 1902 and 1969, including basement extensions. The facility has expanded periodically to house its growing collections, with extensions added approximately every 40 years. This pattern of growth continued with

768-400: A group of specimens) of an organism to which the scientific name of that organism is formally associated. In other words, a type is an example that serves to anchor or centralizes the defining features of that particular taxon . In older usage (pre-1900 in botany), a type was a taxon rather than a specimen. A taxon is a scientifically named grouping of organisms with other like organisms,

864-507: A larger complex with the adjacent Meyer's House (now Hanover House). In 1876, parts of Hunter House, including its drawing room, south room, kitchen and river frontage steps, were demolished to make way for the herbarium's first purpose-built wing. The following year saw the appointment of the first curator , Allan Black . The herbarium's collection includes specimens from many notable historical figures, illustrating its connection to exploration and scientific discovery. Among its treasures

960-410: A lot of small plants), dead and kept safe, "curated", in a herbarium (or the equivalent for fungi). Examples of where an illustration may serve as a type include: A type does not determine the circumscription of the taxon. For example, the common dandelion is a controversial taxon: some botanists consider it to consist of over a hundred species, and others regard it as a single species. The type of

1056-667: A modern wing added in 2009. In 1969, a major reorganisation of British botanical collections took place when Kew transferred its bryophytes , algae , and most of its lichens to the British Museum (Natural History) on permanent loan, receiving in exchange the British Museum's fungal collections. By this time, the herbarium's holdings had grown substantially – from over 2,000,000 specimens mounted on 1,500,000 sheets in 1903 to its current size of approximately seven million specimens. The original 1877 Wing C exemplifies

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1152-485: A new generic name; the old generic name passes into synonymy and is abandoned unless there is a pressing need to make an exception (decided case-by-case, via petition to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature). A type genus is a genus from which the name of a family or subfamily is formed. As with type species, the type genus is not necessarily the most representative but is usually

1248-546: A part of it that has been stolen, or improperly relocated. Type illustrations have also been used by zoologists, as in the case of the Réunion parakeet , which is known only from historical illustrations and descriptions. Recently, some species have been described where the type specimen was released alive back into the wild, such as the Bulo Burti boubou (a bushshrike ), described as Laniarius liberatus , in which

1344-403: A passing remark on Linnaeus's contributions, "Linnaeus himself, must stand as the type of his Homo sapiens. He justified his choice by noting that the specimen that Linnaeus, who wrote his own autobiography five times, had most studied was probably himself. This sufficiently and correctly designated Linnaeus to be the lectotype for Homo sapiens . It has also been suggested that Edward Cope

1440-405: A scientific name to a specific operational taxonomic unit . Type specimens are theoretically even allowed to be aberrant or deformed individuals or color variations, though this is rarely chosen to be the case, as it makes it hard to determine to which population the individual belonged. The usage of the term type is somewhat complicated by slightly different uses in botany and zoology . In

1536-453: A single type specimen, a holotype, was often not designated. Also, types were not always carefully preserved, and intervening events such as wars and fires have resulted in the destruction of the original type material. The validity of a species name often rests upon the availability of original type specimens; or, if the type cannot be found, or one has never existed, upon the clarity of the description. The ICZN has existed only since 1961 when

1632-524: A surgeon working for the East India Company in the 1690s. Browne collected plants around Madras (now Chennai) and collaborated with Tamil and Telugu speakers to record local plant names and uses. The early herbarium grew rapidly through both government grants and private donations. In 1853, the herbarium received William Bromfield's Flora Vectensis . An expansion took place in 1854 when George Bentham donated his herbarium and library to

1728-410: A type. Describing species and appointing type specimens is part of scientific nomenclature and alpha taxonomy . When identifying material, a scientist attempts to apply a taxon name to a specimen or group of specimens based on their understanding of the relevant taxa, based on (at least) having read the type description(s), preferably also based on an examination of all the type material of all of

1824-578: A wide range of botanical research. The herbarium's development has been closely tied to British botanical exploration and colonial expansion , with contributions from influential directors like Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker and major acquisitions including the Gay Herbarium. Research at the herbarium has contributed to botanical taxonomy , with publications such as the Index Kewensis , initiated with funding from Charles Darwin in 1882, and

1920-428: Is a resource for botanical research in taxonomy, conservation , ecology , and climate science . Its specimens offer data that aid in tracking environmental changes, studying plant diseases , and identifying new species, as demonstrated by the 2022 discovery of Victoria boliviana , the world's largest water lily species, which had remained unrecognised in the collection for almost two centuries. The herbarium's future

2016-443: Is a specimen later selected to serve as the single type specimen for species originally described from a set of syntypes . In zoology, a lectotype is a kind of name-bearing type . When a species was originally described on the basis of a name-bearing type consisting of multiple specimens, one of those may be designated as the lectotype. Having a single name-bearing type reduces the potential for confusion, especially considering that it

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2112-478: Is a specimen of Faroa nyasica collected by David Livingstone in the 1860s during his explorations of what is now Malawi . While the collection includes a 4,000-year-old olive tree branch from Tutankhamun 's tomb, its oldest officially catalogued specimen is Indigofera astragalina , collected by Daniel du Bois at Fort St. George in India in 1700. Other early specimens are those collected by Samuel Browne ,

2208-504: Is a specimen of a kind of bird commonly known as the spotted harrier , which currently bears the scientific name Circus assimilis . This particular specimen is the holotype for that species; the name Circus assimilis refers, by definition, to the species of that particular specimen. That species was named and described by Jardine and Selby in 1828, and the holotype was placed in the museum collection so that other scientists might refer to it as necessary. At least for type specimens there

2304-462: Is any additional specimen from among a set of syntypes after a lectotype has been designated from among them. These are not name-bearing types. A special case in Protistans where the type consists of two or more specimens of "directly related individuals" within a preparation medium such as a blood smear. The terms parahapantotype and lectohapantotype refer to type preparations additional to

2400-425: Is clearly designated in the original description, this specimen is known as the holotype of that species. The holotype is typically placed in a major museum, or similar well-known public collection, so that it is freely available for later examination by other biologists. When the original description designated a holotype, there may be additional specimens that the author designates as additional representatives of

2496-760: Is currently subject to debate, with controversial plans announced in 2023 to relocate the collection to Thames Valley Science Park , prompting discussion about the balance between preservation needs, research accessibility, and maintaining the historic connection between the herbarium and Kew's living collections. Prior to the establishment of Kew's herbarium, botanical specimens in London were primarily studied at Sir Joseph Banks ' collection in Soho Square . This changed after William Jackson Hooker became Kew's Director in 1841, when he began allowing researchers to access his substantial private collection at his residence near

2592-463: Is no requirement for a "typical" individual to be used. Genera and families , particularly those established by early taxonomists, tend to be named after species that are more "typical" for them, but here too this is not always the case and due to changes in systematics cannot be. Hence, the term name-bearing type or onomatophore is sometimes used, to denote the fact that biological types do not define "typical" individuals or taxa , but rather fix

2688-454: Is not uncommon for a series of syntypes to contain specimens of more than one species. Formally, Carl Linnaeus is the lectotype for Homo sapiens , designated in 1959. He published the first book considered to be part of taxonomical nomenclature, the 10th edition of Systema Naturae, which included the first description of Homo sapiens and determined all valid syntypes for the species. Crucially, in 1959, Professor William Stearne wrote in

2784-411: Is one of many species that are based on illustrations by Albertus Seba (1734). An ergatotype is a specimen selected to represent a worker member in hymenopterans which have polymorphic castes. A hypotype is a specimen whose details have previously been published that is used in a supplementary figure or description of the species. The term " kleptotype " informally refers to a type specimen or

2880-492: Is the lectotype for Homo sapiens , based on the 1994 reporting by Louie Psihoyos of an unpublished proposal by Bob Bakker to do so. However, this designation is invalid both because Edward Cope was not one of the specimens described in Systema Naturae 10th Ed., and therefore not being a syntype is not eligible, and because Stearne's designation in 1959 has seniority and invalidates future designations. A paralectotype

2976-508: The Index Kewensis , initiated in 1882 through funding from Charles Darwin , marked an important development in botanical taxonomy. The project was conceived to create a comprehensive index of all published names of seed-bearing plants, as Darwin had found Steudel's Nomenclator (the only existing work of this type) useful but outdated. The first volumes, published between 1893 and 1895, were compiled by Benjamin Daydon Jackson under

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3072-529: The International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN), the scientific name of every taxon is almost always based on one particular specimen , or in some cases specimens. Types are of great significance to biologists, especially to taxonomists . Types are usually physical specimens that are kept in a museum or herbarium research collection, but failing that, an image of an individual of that taxon has sometimes been designated as

3168-692: The PhyloCode , type-based definitions are replaced by phylogenetic definitions . In some older taxonomic works the word "type" has sometimes been used differently. The meaning was similar in the first Laws of Botanical Nomenclature , but has a meaning closer to the term taxon in some other works: Ce seul caractère permet de distinguer ce type de toutes les autres espèces de la section. ... Après avoir étudié ces diverses formes, j'en arrivai à les considérer comme appartenant à un seul et même type spécifique. Translation: This single character permits [one to] distinguish this type from all other species of

3264-610: The Cape of Good Hope on 4 April 1840. On 21 April the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera was found off Marion Island , but no landfall could be made there or on the Crozet Islands due to the harsh winds. On 12 May the ships anchored at Christmas Harbour for two and a half months, during which all the plant species previously encountered by James Cook on the Kerguelen Islands were collected. On 16 August they reached

3360-600: The International Plant Names Index (IPNI). In 1974, Kew Herbarium launched the Kew Record of Taxonomic Literature , an annual bibliography aimed at providing comprehensive coverage of taxonomic literature on vascular plants worldwide. The publication catalogued all new plant names (except cultivars ) and relevant taxonomic papers, organising them systematically rather than alphabetically. This addressed limitations of existing resources such as

3456-425: The Kew Record . The facility has undergone several major expansions since its first purpose-built wing was constructed in 1877, with Victorian architecture that includes spiral staircases , iron columns, and vast handcrafted wooden cupboards. In 2022, the herbarium initiated a £29 million digitisation project to produce high-resolution images of its collection, with a target completion date of 2026. The herbarium

3552-615: The River Derwent , collecting plants in Tasmania until 12 November. A week later the flotilla stopped at Lord Auckland's Islands and Campbell's Island for the spring months. Large floating forests of Macrocystis and Durvillaea were found until the ships ran into icebergs at latitude 61° S. Pack-ice was met at 68° S and longitude 175°. During this part of the voyage Victoria Land , Mount Erebus and Mount Terror were discovered. After returning to Tasmania for three months,

3648-726: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London , England. Established in the 1850s on the ground floor of Hunter House, it has grown to maintain approximately seven million preserved plant specimens, including 330,000 type specimens . The herbarium's collections, which include specimens dating back to 1700, represent about 95% of known vascular plant genera and 60% of described fungi , with specimens collected over 260 years of botanical exploration . The herbarium processes around 5,000 specimen loans annually and hosts approximately 3,000 visitor-days of research visits each year, supporting

3744-487: The governor of Senegal (1821–1826), who played an important role in furthering botanical research in the region. The first purpose-built wing of the herbarium was constructed in 1877, prompted by the need for additional space to accommodate botanical specimens collected during exploration of the British Empire. Around 1878, a large hall was added – a quadrangular structure eighty-six feet by forty-three feet, with

3840-513: The nomenclature code applied to the organism in question, a type can be a specimen, a culture, an illustration , or (under the bacteriological code) a description. Some codes consider a subordinate taxon to be the type, but under the botanical code, the type is always a specimen or illustration. For example, in the research collection of the Natural History Museum in London, there is a bird specimen numbered 1886.6.24.20. This

3936-479: The 1920s and 1930s. The Kew Herbarium has contributed to a wide range of botanical research. Beyond its traditional importance in taxonomic studies, the collections underpin research in conservation, ecology, sustainable development , and climate science. The specimens offer information on plant morphology, distribution, environmental niches, phenology (flowering and fruiting times), and even genetic material that can be extracted for DNA studies. The creation of

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4032-683: The 19th century in some ways". The use of traditional methods alongside new technologies allows researchers to study current field guides and specimens from regions like Oman and Thailand in conjunction with historical collections from these areas. The specimens offer data for historical environmental research . They provide evidence for tracking chemical changes in soil and air through analysis of heavy metals absorbed by plants. Historical carbon dioxide levels can be studied by examining leaf structures, as plants take up carbon dioxide through holes in their leaves. The specimens also enable researchers to compare historical and current flowering times, track

4128-414: The 19th century, specimens were typically mounted on high-quality rag paper using traditional materials like wheat starch paste and animal glue . By the mid-20th century, newer materials such as polyvinyl acetate adhesives and plastic mountants were introduced, though some of these later proved problematic for long-term preservation. The basic preservation process has remained largely unchanged since

4224-609: The Australian Lepiota specimens at Kew to revise this genus of mushroom -forming fungi in Australia, clarifying species boundaries and establishing new combinations. For aquatic plants , Horn af Rantzien examined tropical African Najas specimens at Kew to describe new species and better understand species relationships in this challenging genus. The herbarium also enables research on plant-insect interactions through preserved evidence on specimens. Welch examined

4320-686: The Australian Section of the Herbarium, later becoming Deputy Keeper and editor of the Kew Bulletin . In this role, he cleared the mounting backlog of manuscripts and restored the publication to a regular schedule. After retirement in 1982, he continued his research as an Honorary Research Fellow, contributing accounts of the Oleaceae to various floras including the Flora of China and Flora of Thailand . Bernard Verdcourt (1925–2011)

4416-651: The Dutch mycologist Emily Kits van Waveren was able to study 28 historical type specimens, allowing him to determine that some specimens actually belonged to different genera ( Lacrymaria , Conocybe , Panaeolus ) and establish that some historic names were synonyms of already-known species. Similarly, Meinhard Moser 's studies of Cortinarius collections at Kew helped resolve the taxonomy of this notoriously difficult genus of mushrooms. The collections have been particularly important for studying plant groups from former British colonies and protectorates. Aberdeen used

4512-976: The Index Kewensis, which only covered generic and specific names and was published quinquennially. The Kew Record organised its content into systematic groups, with entries placed under relevant plant families and genera where possible. The publication also included sections on floristics, organised by geographical regions corresponding to the herbarium's own specimen organisation system. Additional sections covered topics such as nomenclature, chromosome surveys, chemotaxonomy , anatomy and morphology , palynology , embryology , and reproductive biology . The herbarium's collections have supported landmark taxonomic revisions and continue to enable researchers to resolve taxonomic problems. For example, mycological studies using Kew's specimens have helped clarify species concepts in various fungal groups. In his examination of Berkeley and Broome's Psathyrella specimens at Kew,

4608-656: The Kew Data Portal. By July 2024, 3.4 million specimens had been digitised. Prior to this project, all 330,000 type specimens had already been digitised and made available through platforms such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and JSTOR Global Plants . The digitisation project involves specialist teams including imaging experts, data managers, quality assurance specialists, and curator-botanists. The process has revealed various conservation challenges within

4704-490: The Kew Herbarium's cultivated Quercus collection to document historical occurrences of gall wasps ( Cynipinae ) on non-British oak species, finding evidence of galls on specimens dating back to the 19th century. The herbarium's specimens support diverse scientific investigations beyond traditional taxonomy. The collection provides plant information useful for multiple research purposes. DNA analysis has become

4800-472: The book is sometimes stated to have been published in 1859, the dedication is dated January 1860. It made use of plants collected by the local naturalist Robert Lawrence as well as Gunn and Archer. The book begins with an "Introductory Essay" on biogeography. It is followed by a "Key to the Natural Orders of Tasmanian Flowering Plants" and a more detailed key to the genera. The Flora proper begins with

4896-458: The botanical community have strongly opposed the plan. Over 15,000 people, including plant scientists worldwide and former Kew director Sir Ghillean Prance , signed a petition opposing the move. Critics argue that separating the herbarium from Kew's gardens would disrupt crucial interactions between the collection and the living plants, and impede research collaboration. They maintain that the current building could be retrofitted to safely accommodate

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4992-506: The collection, including detached plant parts and labels, deteriorated sheets, evidence of pest and mould damage, and wear from repeated handling over centuries. In response, the herbarium appointed its first dedicated Project Conservator in 2024. The collections being digitised are especially valuable as they include over 95% of known vascular plant genera and 60% of described fungi, representing more than 260 years of botanical exploration. In 2023, Kew announced controversial plans to relocate

5088-493: The collections not only for taxonomic studies but also for research in conservation planning, agricultural development, environmental science, and climate studies. The herbarium processes approximately 5,000 specimen loans annually and facilitates around 3,000 researcher visits each year, supporting botanical research worldwide. The preservation of specimens is a central aspect of the herbarium's work. Historically, various methods have been used to mount and preserve specimens. In

5184-417: The collections. While various chemical treatments have historically been used to prevent insect attack, the institution now primarily relies on deep-freezing for pest control. Documentation has similarly evolved from handwritten labels to computer-generated ones including GPS data, though historical specimens preserve important contextual details from collectors like A.F.G. Kerr 's detailed Thai specimens from

5280-455: The direction of Joseph Hooker. The original work contained approximately 375,000 species names. The Index has been regularly updated through supplements since its initial publication, with the herbarium staff at Kew scanning the scientific literature to document new plant names and taxonomic changes. The work evolved from providing taxonomic judgments in its early volumes to becoming a straightforward index of published names. It now forms part of

5376-471: The essential characteristics of the genus to which it belongs, but this is subjective and, ultimately, technically irrelevant, as it is not a requirement of the Code. If the type species proves, upon closer examination, to belong to a pre-existing genus (a common occurrence), then all of the constituent species must be either moved into the pre-existing genus or disassociated from the original type species and given

5472-432: The first edition of the Code was published. The ICZN does not always demand a type specimen for the historical validity of a species, and many "type-less" species do exist. The current edition of the Code, Article 75.3, prohibits the designation of a neotype unless there is "an exceptional need" for "clarifying the taxonomic status" of a species (Article 75.2). There are many other permutations and variations on terms using

5568-515: The first order, the Ranunculaceae . Hooker's Flora Tasmaniae was "the first published case study supporting Charles Darwin ’s theory of natural selection ". It contained a "milestone essay on biogeography ", "one of the first major public endorsements of the theory [of evolution by natural selection]". Hooker gradually changed his mind on evolution as he wrote up his findings from the Ross expedition. While he asserted that "my own views on

5664-400: The flora of the south-western Pacific. During his tenure, he reorganised the herbarium's sectional structure to be based on systematic rather than geographical responsibilities. Green also played a crucial role in establishing the management of the Herbarium and Library as a single unit, which later evolved into the Herbarium, Library, Art & Archives department. Green joined Kew in 1966 in

5760-707: The flotilla went via Sydney to the Bay of Islands , and stayed for three months in New Zealand. After visiting other islands, the ships returned to the Cape of Good Hope on 4 April 1843. At the end of the journey specimens of some fifteen hundred plant species had been collected and preserved. The 930-page Flora Tasmaniae was published between 1855 and 1860. Hooker dedicated it to the local naturalists Ronald Campbell Gunn and William Archer, noting that "This Flora of Tasmania .. owes so much to their indefatigable exertions". Although

5856-705: The galleried interior and woodwork of Wing C. The newer wings show the evolution of herbarium design – Wing E (2009) replaced the traditional wooden cupboards with wheel-operated compactor shelves and substituted windows for modern climate control systems maintaining a constant 18°C. The facility includes two cavernous basements housing specialised collections. These storage areas feature custom-made boxes designed for preserving particular specimen types, with shelving extending deep into climate-controlled storage areas. Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817–1911) served as Assistant Director (1855–1865) and then Director (1865–1885) of Kew Gardens. During his tenure, he substantially expanded

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5952-460: The gardens. The herbarium officially began in 1852 when the ground floor of Hunter House, an early 18th-century Queen Anne style building on Kew Green , was allocated to store both Hooker's collection and the herbarium and library of William Arnold Bromfield . Hunter House had previously been the residence of the Duke of Cumberland (later King of Hanover ) until his death in 1851, and formed part of

6048-404: The grand Victorian architecture that characterises much of the herbarium. Its interior features a soaring rectangular warehouse design with three-story spiral staircases beside tall red iron columns, in what staff affectionately call a "jailhouse style." The space is flooded with natural light from enormous windows - a deliberate 19th-century design choice to minimize the use of gas lanterns around

6144-538: The growing collection. Kew management asserts that expansion at the current site is limited due to Kew's World Heritage Site status, and cites risks from flooding from the nearby River Thames and potential fire hazards. They propose redeveloping the current herbarium building, which is not open to the public, as a science quarter to display historically important specimens, including those donated by Charles Darwin. The controversy raises broader questions about herbarium access and equity in botanical science, highlighting

6240-474: The hapantotype and designated by the describing author. As with other type designations the use of the prefix "Neo-", such as Neohapantotype , is employed when a replacement for the original hapantotype is designated, or when an original description did not include a designated type specimen. An illustration on which a new species or subspecies was based. For instance, the Burmese python, Python bivittatus ,

6336-587: The herbarium approximately 60 kilometres away to Thames Valley Science Park , owned by the University of Reading . The proposed move, estimated to cost £200 million and take a decade to complete, aims to address space constraints (the herbarium receives about 20,000 to 25,000 new specimens annually ) and concerns about fire and flood risks in the current historic building. The new purpose-built facility would include labs for DNA extraction and digital imaging , with space for over 150 researchers. Some members of

6432-584: The herbarium's collections each year. About a quarter of these new accessions come from Kew staff working with international partners, while the remainder arrive through exchanges with other herbaria worldwide. Specimens are typically collected when plants are in flower or fruit to aid identification. Field collection methods have remained largely unchanged since the herbarium's founding - plants are pressed and dried between sheets in traditional flower presses before being shipped to Kew. Specimens typically arrive wrapped in newspaper from their country of origin, which

6528-983: The herbarium's collections through his own extensive botanical expeditions and by establishing a wide network of scientific exchanges. Hooker conducted several major collecting expeditions, including voyages to Antarctica and the South Pacific (1839–1843), India and the Himalayas (1847–1851), and the western United States (1877). His Indian expedition alone yielded over 150,000 specimens representing around 7,000 species. During his travels in Sikkim, he collected specimens of 25 previously unknown species of rhododendron. His botanical artwork and field sketches from these expeditions are preserved in Kew's art collection. A prolific author, Hooker formally described over 12,000 new plant species during his career. His major publications included

6624-487: The herbarium's founding, though methods have evolved over time. New acquisitions follow a specific protocol: specimens are collected and dried between sheets of paper in presses, then undergo deep-freezing to eradicate pests before awaiting examination by specialist taxonomists. After verification of plant identification, specimens are mounted on acid-free papers using appropriate adhesives that allow for future examination, then imaged, digitised, and finally incorporated into

6720-437: The importance of maintaining accessibility for researchers. This is particularly relevant given that only 30% of the world's estimated 400 million herbarium specimens have been described online, and just 10% have been digitised. 51°29′6″N 0°17′28″W  /  51.48500°N 0.29111°W  / 51.48500; -0.29111 Type (biology) In biology , a type is a particular specimen (or in some cases

6816-474: The largest herbaria in the world. The institution's internationally recognised herbarium code is K , and it is used when citing housed specimens. The collections are highly representative of global plant diversity, containing about 95% of known vascular plant genera. Of particular scientific importance are the 330,000 type specimens, which serve as nomenclatural standards for plant identification and taxonomy. Approximately 30,000 to 50,000 new specimens are added to

6912-413: The multi-volume Flora of British India and Genera Plantarum , the latter written with George Bentham establishing a systematic structure for plant classification that remained in use at Kew for over 130 years. Peter Shaw Green (1920–2009) served as Keeper of the Herbarium and Deputy Director of Kew Gardens from 1975 to 1982. He was particularly known for his expertise in the taxonomy of Oleaceae and

7008-408: The name Taraxacum officinale is the same whether the circumscription of the species includes all those small species ( Taraxacum officinale is a "big" species) or whether the circumscription is limited to only one small species among the other hundred ( Taraxacum officinale is a "small" species). The name Taraxacum officinale is the same and the type of the name is the same, but the extent to which

7104-525: The name actually applies varies greatly. Setting the circumscription of a taxon is done by a taxonomist in a publication. Miscellaneous notes: The ICN provides a listing of the various kinds of types (article 9 and the Glossary), the most important of which is the holotype. These are The word "type" appears in botanical literature as a part of some older terms that have no status under the ICN : for example

7200-482: The name of a nominal taxon can be determined." Although in reality biologists may examine many specimens (when available) of a new taxon before writing an official published species description, nonetheless, under the formal rules for naming species (the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature), a single type must be designated, as part of the published description. A type description must include

7296-757: The nation, on condition they would be housed at Kew and remain accessible to botanists. After William Hooker's death in 1865, the government purchased his herbarium and library in 1866. Many significant historical collections were incorporated during this early period, including Allan Cunningham 's Australasian specimens, William John Burchell 's collections from Saint Helena and South Africa, Robert Brown 's British specimens, Hewett Watson 's British collections, Amelia Griffiths 's algae, William Wright and Johan Peter Rottler 's Indian specimens, and several general herbaria. The extensive Indian collections of Hooker and Thomas Thomson that reached Kew in 1851 contained an estimated 8,000 species. Another valuable acquisition

7392-503: The new species, which can produce leaves up to 3.2 meters in diameter – larger than any other water lily species. Despite modern technological advances like GPS devices and digital cameras, many fundamental research practices at the herbarium remain unchanged from Victorian times. As herbarium researcher André Schuiteman noted in 2013, "We still look at plants stuck to a piece of paper... We still go to faraway places and collect samples. We keep up with our times, but we also still keep to

7488-535: The original author never cited a specimen. A syntype is any one of two or more specimens that is listed in a species description where no holotype was designated; historically, syntypes were often explicitly designated as such, and under the present ICZN this is a requirement, but modern attempts to publish species description based on syntypes are generally frowned upon by practicing taxonomists, and most are gradually being replaced by lectotypes. Those that still exist are still considered name-bearing types. A lectotype

7584-421: The paper specimens. Vast handcrafted wooden cupboards are arranged in rows, creating what staff call small "cells" between the stacks that point toward the centre of the room. The historic wing has a unique atmosphere, marked by the scent of old paper and preserved specimens. Subsequent wings retained similar architectural features to the original design through the early 20th century, with Wing B (1902) matching

7680-433: The past 250 years. In 2022, Kew began an ambitious four-year digitisation project to create a complete digital catalogue of its herbarium and fungarium collections, which together comprise approximately 8.5 million specimens. Estimated to cost £29 million, it is the largest project in Kew's history, with the goal of completion by 2026. The project aims to make high-resolution images and specimen data freely available through

7776-409: The relevant taxa. If there is more than one named type that all appear to be the same taxon, then the oldest name takes precedence and is considered to be the correct name of the material in hand. If on the other hand, the taxon appears never to have been named at all, then the scientist or another qualified expert picks a type specimen and publishes a new name and an official description. Depending on

7872-508: The same species, termed paratypes. These are not name-bearing types . An allotype is a specimen of the opposite sex to the holotype, designated from among paratypes. The word was also formerly used for a specimen that shows features not seen in the holotype of a fossil. The term is not regulated by the ICZN . A neotype is a specimen later selected to serve as the single type specimen when an original holotype has been lost or destroyed or where

7968-406: The section ... After studying the diverse forms, I came to consider them as belonging to the one and the same specific type. In botanical nomenclature , a type ( typus , nomenclatural type ), "is that element to which the name of a taxon is permanently attached." (article 7.2) In botany, a type is either a specimen or an illustration. A specimen is a real plant (or one or more parts of a plant or

8064-405: The species description included DNA sequences from blood and feather samples. Assuming there is no future question as to the status of such a species, the absence of a type specimen does not invalidate the name, but it may be necessary for the future to designate a neotype for such a taxon, should any questions arise. However, in the case of the bushshrike, ornithologists have argued that the specimen

8160-810: The spread of invasive species , and study changes in biodiversity in specific locations over time. In agricultural applications, the collections support plant breeding programs by helping identify genetic traits controlling characteristics like height and colour. They also aid in understanding plant diseases – for example, historical specimens helped trace the progression of the 1840s potato blight . The collections continue to be used by researchers to identify threatened species , study biodiversity patterns, and inform conservation planning. Historical specimens provide baseline data for studying environmental and climate change. The collections are also valuable for fields beyond botany – historians use them as records of discovery, exploration, and scientific collaborations over

8256-523: The subjects of the variability of existing species" remain "unaltered from those which I maintained in the ' Flora of New Zealand '", the Flora Tasmaniae is written from a Darwinian perspective that effectively assumes natural selection, or as Hooker named it, the "variation" theory, to be correct. Kew Herbarium The Kew Herbarium (herbarium code: K ) is one of the world's largest and most historically significant herbaria , housed at

8352-414: The suffix "-type" (e.g., allotype , cotype, topotype , generitype , isotype , isoneotype, isolectotype, etc.) but these are not formally regulated by the Code, and a great many are obsolete and/or idiosyncratic. However, some of these categories can potentially apply to genuine type specimens, such as a neotype; e.g., isotypic/topotypic specimens are preferred to other specimens, when they are available at

8448-415: The time a neotype is chosen (because they are from the same time and/or place as the original type). A topotype is a specimen that was obtained from the same location that the original type specimen came from. The term fixation is used by the Code for the declaration of a name-bearing type, whether by original or subsequent designation. Each genus must have a designated type species (the term "genotype"

8544-406: The type specimen was obtained. Zoological collections are maintained by universities and museums. Ensuring that types are kept in good condition and made available for examination by taxonomists are two important functions of such collections. And, while there is only one holotype designated, there can be other "type" specimens, the following of which are formally defined: When a single specimen

8640-642: Was a prolific taxonomist who worked at Kew from 1964 to 2008, first as Principal Scientific Officer and later as an Honorary Research Fellow. He made substantial contributions to the Flora of Tropical East Africa, authoring over one-fifth of this major work which covered 12,500 species. Verdcourt published extensively on the taxonomy of various plant families , including Rubiaceae , Leguminosae , Convolvulaceae and Annonaceae . During his career, he contributed more than 1,220 scientific papers and books, focusing not only on botany but also on malacology and entomology. He

8736-493: Was a rare and hitherto unknown color morph of a long-known species, using only the available blood and feather samples. While there is still some debate on the need to deposit actual killed individuals as type specimens, it can be observed that given proper vouchering and storage, tissue samples can be just as valuable should dispute about the validity of a species arise. The various types listed above are necessary because many species were described one or two centuries ago, when

8832-522: Was demonstrated in 2022 when specimens in its collection helped identify Victoria boliviana , the world's largest water lily species. Despite samples being in Kew's collection for almost two centuries, the species went unrecognised until Carlos Magdalena  [ ast ] , one of Kew's water lily experts, collaborated with Bolivian institutions to study seeds from specimens suspected to be of novel species. The subsequent research combined traditional botanical examination with genetic testing to confirm

8928-420: Was once used for this but has been abandoned because the word has become much better known as the term for a different concept in genetics ). The description of a genus is usually based primarily on its type species, modified and expanded by the features of other included species. The generic name is permanently associated with the name-bearing type of its type species. Ideally, a type species best exemplifies

9024-571: Was particularly known for his meticulous attention to detail in plant taxonomy and his willingness to assist younger botanists. His taxonomic work was recognised with several honours, including the Kew Medal in 1986 and the Linnean Society's Gold Medal in 2000. The size of the collection has been a subject of historical interest. In 1953, for the herbarium's centenary, it was estimated to contain approximately 6 million specimens. However,

9120-525: Was the herbarium of Jacques Gay, which arrived at Kew in 1868. This collection included early specimens from Senegal collected in the 1820s by Claude Richard, the founder of the Richard Tol botanical gardens, and by Döllinger (who collected in Senegal during 1823, particularly around Richard Tol). Many of these specimens were originally sent to Gay by Baron Jacques François Roger  [ fr ] ,

9216-705: Was used to dry them in the field. Each specimen includes a collector's label with provisional identification and contextual information, often accompanied by field notes, maps, and notebooks that provide valuable details about the time and place of collection. Once received, specimens require specialised preservation methods depending on their type, with facilities like custom storage boxes for delicate specimens such as cacti. The herbarium regularly supports international research through specimen loans and visiting researchers. Around 10,000 specimens are sent out annually as loans or exchanges to scientists worldwide. The facility hosts hundreds of visiting researchers each year, who use

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