New Zealand National Herbarium Network

Herbarium Details: University of Canterbury Herbarium (CANU)

Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences
University of Canterbury
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8020
New Zealand

Telephone:  +64 3 364 2730
Fax:            +64 3 364 2083

Home pages:  University of Canterbury
                    Department of Plant and Microbial Sciences

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

Estimated totals for the different groups
Angiosperms
Gymnosperms
Pteridophytes
Mosses
Liverworts
Lichens
Algae
Total

28 450
650
2 700
3 050
500
750
5 000
41 000


Computerisation

 

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 Keeper:  Dr Josephine M. Ward,  Senior lecture in Botany (Compositae)
Technician:  Reijel Gardener


No full time staff.

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