Algae

Our algae collection numbers approximately 40,000 specimens from across the globe with geographic focus on Scotland and a taxonomic focus on the Red Algae

Summary

40,000 specimens

103 type specimens

500 specimens in spirit

Algae is the term used for a large polyphyletic group of photosynthetic organisms. They are primarily aquatic (marine and freshwater), but can also be terrestrial.

The algae collection has been built up over the last 200 years, with the earliest specimens dating to the early 1800’s. Collections continue to be added, most recently with the incorporation of the herbarium of Harry Powell.

The taxonomic scope of the collection covers brown algae (Phaeophyceae), marine green algae (Chlorophyta), freshwater and terrestrial green algae (Charophyta), cyanobacteria (Cyanophyta) and red algae (Rhodophyta).

Whilst there are specimens from across the world, most of the specimens were collected in the United Kingdom, especially Scotland.

Examples of our Algae collection

A pressed herbarium specimen of an algae with leaves on it
A pressed herbarium specimen of a pink seaweed on a white background
Rocks with dried pink algae growing on
A close-up of a brown circular object with a spiral pattern
A pressed herbarium specimen of a pale pink seaweed against a white background.
A pressed herbarium specimen of a pink and brown seaweed
A pressed herbarium specimen of a vibrant pink seaweed
Scinaia interrupta
A pressed herbarium specimen of a seaweed with large pink leaves
Oscillatoria thermalis collected in Scotland by Rev. Berkeley
Delesseria sanguinea
Chondrus crispus
Furcellaria lumbricalis
Two specimens of Chondrus crispus

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    Codium fragile ssp. atlanticum collected in Scotland, 1962, by David E.G. Irvine

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    Red alga – Griffithsia corallinoides (L.) Trevis. Collected in England, 1880, by Elizabeth H. Boning.

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    Hildenbrandia rubra

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    Chorda filum

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    Nitophyllum punctatum

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    Palmaria palmata

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    Callocolax

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    A pressed herbarium specimen of a pink seaweed

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    Delesseria sanguinea collected in Jersey, Channel Islands

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    Oscillatoria thermalis collected in Scotland by Rev. Berkeley

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    Delesseria sanguinea collected in Scotland, 1854, from the George W. Traill herbarium

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    Chondrus crispus collected in England, 1837, by Miss M. Williams

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    Furcellaria lumbricalis collected in England, 1827, from the Robert K. Greville Herbarium

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    Two specimens of Chondrus crispus

Important Historical Collections

  • Walker-Arnott 1850s-1860s, British Isles
  • William Edgar Evans 1900s-1940s, Africa, Europe
  • Amelia Warren Griffiths 1830s-1840s, England
  • William Henry Harvey 1833-1850, global
  • Henry Halcro Johnston (1940s) Orkney, Scotland
  • Miss Hutchins 1808, Republic of Ireland
  • Rev. David Landsborough 1849-1853, Scotland and Jersey
  • Dr. David Lyall 1840s-1860s, British Isles, Chile, New Zealand
  • James Sinclair 1940s, Scotland, Singapore and Malaysia
  • Josephine Elizabeth Tilden 1898-1912, USA and Canada
  • Robert Wight 1820s-1830s, India
  • Mary Wyatt 1833-1840, Devon, England
  • Rev. James Yuill 1850s-1870s, Peterhead, Scotland

Major Collections

  • Top set of the Robert K Greville Herbarium 1820-1856, global
  • David Edward Guthrie Irvine Herbarium 1948-1988 Predominantly British, global
  • Archibald Menzies herbarium 1777-1800s, global
  • George William Traill Herbarium 1870s-1900, global
  • Glasgow Herbarium foreign algae collection

Recent Collections

  • Teresa Bennett 1984, British Isles
  • Helen L. Caldwell 1961-1985, British Isles
  • Sarah L. Fowler 1960s-1980s,
  • Christine Howsan 1980s-1990s
  • Helen M. Jones 1990s, British Isles
  • Harry T. Powell Herbarium 1940s-1980s, British Isles (predominantly Scotland) and North America

Surveys and Expeditions

  • Kerguelen Land from the Challenger Expedition of 1874
  • Transit of Venus Expedition 1875
  • Outer Hebridean Survey 1960s-1980s
  • Outer Hebrides specimens for the Marine Nature Conservation Review Survey 1980s-1990s

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