Herbarium PO - Carpotheque
The carpotheque collection includes specimens of fruits and seeds, in an estimated total of 2500 specimens. This collection originates from the seed collection of the first Botanical Garden of the Porto Polytechnic Academy. Started in 1883, this collection was intended to foster the exchange of seeds between national and international Botanical Gardens.
The main focus of the collection is the seeds from Mainland Portugal, as well as fruits and seeds from African territories. The major names associated with these are Gonçalo Sampaio, Américo Pires de Lima, Arnaldo Rozeira, and Armando Loureiro. More recently and as a result of incorporations by the MHNC-UP, many collections have emerged thanks to PhD studies on carpological survey.
The collection’s long history and extensive representation of the Portuguese vascular flora are its main characteristics. Although there is no viability of the carpological material, it is still a very valuable collection for morphological comparisons. It has also proved crucial for many researchers in paleobiological studies. The main lines of work associated to this collection include the taxonomic and biogeographic study of research. It is also referred to by academics in the field of archeobotany.
The collection is dehydrated and stored in sealed glass bottles, herbarium folders/files or in spirit. The most recent specimens are disinfected by anoxia and remain useful for molecular studies. Part of the collection has also been cataloged and is currently accessible on digital databases available for consultation upon request.
The main focus of the collection is the seeds from Mainland Portugal, as well as fruits and seeds from African territories. The major names associated with these are Gonçalo Sampaio, Américo Pires de Lima, Arnaldo Rozeira, and Armando Loureiro. More recently and as a result of incorporations by the MHNC-UP, many collections have emerged thanks to PhD studies on carpological survey.
The collection’s long history and extensive representation of the Portuguese vascular flora are its main characteristics. Although there is no viability of the carpological material, it is still a very valuable collection for morphological comparisons. It has also proved crucial for many researchers in paleobiological studies. The main lines of work associated to this collection include the taxonomic and biogeographic study of research. It is also referred to by academics in the field of archeobotany.
The collection is dehydrated and stored in sealed glass bottles, herbarium folders/files or in spirit. The most recent specimens are disinfected by anoxia and remain useful for molecular studies. Part of the collection has also been cataloged and is currently accessible on digital databases available for consultation upon request.
