Ever wondered where botanists store their plant treasures? That place is right here at the Herbarium Mediterraneum in Palermo.
The Herbarium Mediterraneum is not just any herbarium. It is a vital hub for Mediterranean botany. It’s officially recognized as OPTIMA’s Central Herbarium and Library. OPTIMA encourages botanists to deposit their plant material here. They also want copies of relevant publications for safekeeping in the Greuter collections.
Let’s step back in time. The Palermo collections are historically significant. They consist of two interlinked parts. The first is the Herbarium Mediterraneum. It includes the Herbarium Siculum. It also holds books and journals exchanged for OPTIMA’s journals like Flora Mediterranea. The second is the Herbarium Greuter. Werner Greuter, OPTIMA’s co-founder, donated it to Palermo.
At the beginning of 2013, the Greuter herbarium boasted a vast collection. It contained a general collection with 55000 specimens. Also, the herbarium of Father Pierre Gave was acquired around 1970. It contains about 30000 specimens mainly from SW-Europe. Moreover, the herbarium of Dr Antoine Bras acquired in 2008 encompasses around 30000 specimens mainly from S France. The main duplicate set of the Herbarium Phitos & Kamari includes 6800 specimens from Greece. In total the number of mounted and inventoried specimens was about 64000. The estimated total was more than 120000.
In 2013, Leonidas Pinatzi donated his collection of about 25000 specimens. Other accessions through purchase, gifts and collecting activity totaled about 10000 specimens. Now the estimated total holdings approach 160000 specimens. Over 90000 are now mounted and inventoried.
High-resolution digital images are available online. These images are constantly updated. The Herbarium PAL-Gr welcomes additions of well-prepared specimens particularly from the Mediterranean area. Mailing costs can be refunded when required.
The Herbarium Mediterraneum Panormitanum’s herbarium code is PAL. It was founded in 1795. It is associated with the Botanic Garden of the University of Palermo.
The Herbarium Mediterraneum has incorporated several herbaria. These include BIEL for Mediterranean specimens and W Greuter. W Greuter includes the herbaria of A Bras, Abbé Gave, Pinatzis and Phitos & Kamari.
The Herbarium Mediterraneum specializes in various geographical areas. These include Sicily and the Mediterranean basin. It also includes the Canary Islands, South America, Somalia, South Africa and Australia. The Herbarium W Greuter is kept separate and cited as PAL-Gr. Its specialty is the Mediterranean, Caucasia, Caribbean and Australia.
The Herbarium Mediterraneum houses an impressive number of specimens. It contains 550000 specimens.
Many important collectors have contributed to the Herbarium Mediterraneum. They include A Bras, M Gandoger and Abbé Gave. Others are G Giardina, W Greuter and T von Heldreich. Also, RF Hohenacker, D Lanza and GE Mattei have contributed. BA Porcari, CG Pringle, E Reverchon, PA Saccardo and GHW Schimper are included. Finally, L Senni, PEE Sintenis, V Tineo and A Todaro are among the important collectors.
So, next time you admire a rare plant, remember the Herbarium Mediterraneum. It preserves botanical history and fosters ongoing research. It ensures that future generations can appreciate the botanical wonders of our world.