Curation

Procedures for both mounting and conservation follow a number of the practices developed by the herbarium of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (E).

The Portuguese collection is being restored.

Due to an interruption on the fumigation procedures in the 1970-80s some material was contaminated by beetle Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius, 1792. Also some mounting support did not withstand well the passing of time and manipulation.

For decades the pest control used carbon disulphide. After two decades of interruption because of its declared toxicity, new procedures were implemented.

All materials go through cold treatment before entering the herbarium.

Cold treatment: two periods of 48 hrs at -18ºC, being let thaw in between. The specimens are placed in thick plastic bags, well-sealed. An ordinary freezer is used.

Every c. four years there is a chemical fumigation in each one of the two floors of the herbarium.