Vilnius University Herbarium

Vilnius University Herbarium – Treasury of Knowledge of the Past and the Present

What is Herbarium?

In the general meaning, Herbarium is a scientific institution that gathers, stores, and conducts research of the collections of plants and fungi. This institution provides an unlimited resource of raw scientific data. It the narrowest meaning, Herbarium is an assortment of specially collected and labelled plants either dried or fixated in a solution. Herbarium illustrates the combination of scientific, historical and cultural values.

Structure of Vilnius University Herbarium

Herbarium of Vilnius University is composed of four sections: herbarium of foreign specimens (Herbarium Generale), herbarium of Lithuanian specimens (Herbarium Lithuanicum), the Historical Collection, and the Museum of the Herbarium. Specimens of plants, algae and fungi are stored and researched in the Herbarium.

The collection of Herbarium Generale is comprised of the specimens from all over the world and is constantly supplemented with the floral samples from abroad.

The Historical Collection was established before the beginning of the 20^th century. This section is of immense scientific, historical, ethnic, and cultural value. The importance of the Historical Collection as a regional documental heritage has been recognised by the UNESCO Memory of the World Programme, enlisting the collection into the Lithuanian National Registry. The unique rare personal collections, created before the beginning of the 20^th century, are also attributed to this Historical Collection.

The collection of the Herbarium Lituanicum is comprised of the samples dating from the beginning of the 20^th century to this day collected from the territory of nowadays Republic of Lithuania. It is the largest and constantly supplemented collection that represents the diversity and changes of the Lithuanian flora as well as the distribution of various taxonomical groups of plants in Lithuania. A large section of this collection has been created from the specimens collected in various regions of Lithuania by the students during their field studies and graduation theses preparation.

The Museum of Herbarium presents the merits of botanical world to the public. Visitors are welcome to explore various exhibitions representing the development of botany studies at Vilnius University, discover the variety of plants, mosses, algae, and fungi in Lithuania. Visitors are kindly asked to appoint the visit in advance, contacting the Herbarium.

For more information: Director of Herbarium, Dr Mindaugas Rasimavičius Phone.: +370 5 223 4355, +370 5 239 8263; Email: , Address: Room V010, Saulėtekio al. 7, Vilnius, Lithuania   Personnel: Dr Jonė Rukšėnienė, phone: +370 5 239 8251, +370 5 223 4355, Room V008 Dr Jūratė Tupčiauskaitė  phone: +370 5 223 4355, Room V008