Cambridge University Herbarium
The preserved botanic specimens at Cambridge University Herbarium form an important scientific and historical research collection.
By Cambridge University Herbarium
Video presented by Anne Dubéarnès and produced by Graham Copekoga of the Cambridge Philosophical Society.
About the Herbarium
Cambridge University Herbarium is part of the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge and is housed on the grounds of the Cambridge University Botanic Garden.
The University Herbarium collection contains over one million dried plant specimens, each mounted on a sheet of paper and preserved for future study.
Cephalanthera grandiflora (1823-06-06/1825-08-12) by J.S. HenslowCambridge University Herbarium
Cephalanthera grandiflora (Cephalanthera longifolia)
Two specimens of white helleborine collected by John Stevens in the 1820s.
Tritonia aurea × Pottsii (1918) by E.S. MarshallCambridge University Herbarium
Specimen labels
Labels provide important metadata about when, where and by whom specimens were collected. This allows researchers to study how plants and their habitats have changed over time, understand the cultural contexts in which they were collected and assess risks to modern populations.
The oldest known plant in the collection dates from 1703.
This specimen was sent from Fort St. George, in Chennai, India, by Edward Bulkley in 1703. It found its way into the collection of John Martyn, whose personal herbarium formed the core of the Herbarium at its beginning in the 18th century.
John Martyn was the second Professor of Botany at the University of Cambridge from 1733 until 1762. On his retirement, Martyn donated his personal herbarium to the University, which came under the care of his son Thomas who succeeded him in the post.
Clymenum specimen (1733-07)Cambridge University Herbarium
Mus. Martyn
Mus. Martyn, the personal collection of John Martyn, grew in the care of his son and successor as Professor of Botany, Thomas Martyn and formed the core of the original Cambridge University Herbarium.
Portrait of Thomas Martyn and a specimen of Phlox from the Mus. Martyn collection
Cambridge University Herbarium is also home to a large number of specimens collected by the fourth Professor of Botany, John Stevens Henslow, and his most famous student, Charles Darwin. The University Herbarium houses the specimens Darwin collected on the voyage of HMS Beagle in the 1830s, as well as plants he gathered throughout the British Isles. As part of the University Herbarium's digitisation program, new photographs have been taken of the Darwin collection to facilitate future research.
Camellia sinensis
This specimen from Rio de Janeiro was collected by Charles Darwin on the voyage of the Beagle in 1832.
Opuntia galapageia (1835) by Charles DarwinCambridge University Herbarium
Opuntia galapageia
Type specimen of the succulent tree Opuntia galapageia, gathered by Charles Darwin from the Galapagos Islands.
Sicyos villosa (1835-9) by Charles DarwinCambridge University Herbarium
Sicyos villosa
A now-extinct species of the cucumber family, collected by Charles Darwin during the voyage of the Beagle.
In addition to specimens of flowering plants, mosses, ferns, lichens and algae, the University Herbarium also contains archival papers related to the collections and thousands of beautiful botanical illustrations.
Letter regarding specimen of Solanum laciniatum (1848-08-17) by A. MurrayCambridge University Herbarium
Archival collections
Correspondence regarding a diseased specimen of Solanum laciniatum, from A. Murray in 1848.
Illustration of Delesseria dendroides by Mary Philadelphia MerrifieldCambridge University Herbarium
Delesserica dendroides
Illustration by 19th century writer and algologist, Mary Philadelphia Merrifield.
Our Mission
The mission of Cambridge University Herbarium is to facilitate the use of our collections for research and education. We work with students and researchers to ensure this unique natural history collection continues to support learning and discovery for many years to come.
Learn more about Cambridge University Herbarium from taxonomist Anne Dubéarnès, who discusses this exceptional collection and why herbaria are important to research today.
Sally Loesch and Anne Dubéarnès for Cambridge University Herbarium.
Video presented by Anne Dubéarnès and produced by Graham Copekoga of the Cambridge Philosophical Society.
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