Access the Fungarium

Book a research visit, access the collection online or request a loan.

Fungarium drawers, RBG Kew/Steve Lancefield

Kew's Fungarium houses an estimated 1.25 million dried specimens.

Find out below how to access the collection online, arrange a research visit, request a loan or send in specimens or donated material. 

Online

There are digital versions of the physical collection but they are not yet complete.

In the case of the Fungarium 40% of the 1.25 million specimens have been digitised.

Access the Kew Mycology Collection online

Access the Fungarium Catalogue (HerbIMI)

Using the Fungarium

We welcome scientific, arts, and humanities research visitors to the Fungarium.*

All visits must be pre-booked, providing at least 14 days’ notice.

Book a research visit to Kew's Fungarium

*Please note, the Fungarium collection is only open to the public during special events such as open days.

 

To arrange loans

We loan or exchange specimens each year to organisations worldwide. If you wish to arrange a loan or exchange please read our Fungarium loan regulations.

Then email requests to a.paton@kew.org.

To send in specimens

Please do not send us unsolicited or unaddressed specimens or materials.  

We can only add material to our Fungarium that has been collected and brought into the UK according to a set of strict procedures established by international treaties such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  

Before sending us specimens, please contact us.
 
The Fungarium
Jodrell Laboratory,  
Royal Botanic Gardens,  
Kew,  
Richmond,  
TW9 3AE
UK
 
Email: fungarium@kew.org