Destructive Sampling

With c. 450,000 herbarium specimens, Trinity College Dublin herbarium contains significant collections suitable for studies of the anatomy, morphology, chemistry and genetics of plants. We receive frequent requests from researchers worldwide for this material.

We aim to approve these requests where possible, but given our limited resources are unable to satisfy every request. Priority is given to requests where the researcher concerned is actively collaborating with a staff member at Trinity College Dublin and the research will lead to a joint publication.

Given the often historic and fragile nature of our collections, we consider every request on an individual basis. We are unlikely to be able to grant requests to destructively sample the following sets of specimens:

• Primary type collections (holotypes, lectotypes, or neotypes)
• Collections of special historical significance (e.g. Charles Darwin or Ellen Hutchins collections)
• Collections that are the sole representative of a species in Trinity College Dublin Herbarium

Procedure for Requests

• Trinity College Dublin Herbarium will only consider destructive sampling requests from researchers affiliated with a recognised institute. Requesters must submit a Destructive Sampling Form.
• All requests for removal of samples should include the completed forms and be addressed to the Herbarium Curator.
• Requests should specify the type of material required and the nature of the research, including the goals and methods of the intended research.
• Approval for destructive sampling from Trinity College Dublin herbarium specimens will be done on a case-by-case basis. The number of samples per request will be limited.
• In the case of genetic work, evidence must be produced that DNA extraction has been successful from herbarium sheets in the group concerned, usually the genus.
• As per the Nagoya protocol, any post-1970 plant material requested from Trinity College Dublin may be subject to Prior Informed Consent from the country of origin. Any permissions and conditions of use will be advised before release and if there are any restrictions it will not be made available.

If permission is granted, the material requested will be removed by Trinity staff. Details of the sampling will be recorded onto the Trinity College Dublin Herbarium database and the Herbarium specimens annotated. This will include the type of material removed, reference number, date of removal, name and Institution of the person who requested the material.

The taxon, collector’s name, collection number and barcode (if known) must be referred to when requesting and citing the voucher specimen.