Herbarium Mediterraneum Commission (2007-2013)

Chair:        W. Greuter, Berlin

Secretary:       F. M. Raimondo, Palermo

Members:        G. Kamari, Patras
                      J. M. Iriondo, Madrid
                      S. Jury, Reading
                      B. Valdés, Sevilla
                      G. Venturella, Palermo

In 1990 the statutes of an International Foundation "Pro Herbario Mediterraneo" were finalized. As the ratification process was being carried out in Italy, an interim committee was established under the leadership of F.M. Raimondo to run current business such as publication of the new journals.

From 1991-1994 progress with the plans for the "Herbarium Mediterraneum" in Palermo was rather slow due to difficulties with the acquisition of the buildings as well as legalistic complexities affecting the set-up of the "Pro Herbario Mediterraneo" Foundation. At its meeting in Borovetz on July 17th, 1993, the Commission discussed the plans for furnishing and arranging the already acquired portion of the premises (50% as of that date) as a provisional home for the "Herbarium Mediterraneum Panormitanum".

So far, the activities of the Commission have largely concentrated on the publication field with some Commission members actively involved in the editorial process. At the end of 1995, the "Pro Herbario Mediterraneo" Foundation was officially recognized by the Italian Government. The scientific activities to be supported by the Foundation will be controlled by a Scientific Committee in which the members of the OPTIMA Herbarium Mediterraneum Commission will actively participate.

2004. In 2004 the Herbarium Mediterraneum Foundation upheld its offer to accept herbarium specimens in exchange for OPTIMA fees and/or the purchase of Bocconea volumes. Each herbarium specimen was accepted as equivalent to 1.67 Swiss Francs, postage being refunded. In 2004 twelve ordinary members took advantage of this offer and the Herbarium received a total of 476 additional herbarium specimens. The Herbarium Mediterraneum also offers OPTIMA members the possibility of research visits to the Herbarium.

As the budget of the Foundation has been reduced by 50% due to the drop in interest rates (6% to 3%), the publication of future Bocconea volumes will be funded by external sources. The Proceedings of the XI OPTIMA Meeting will be published as a volume of Bocconea and will be funded by subscription.

Two research grants were funded by the Herbarium Mediterraneum. The recipients of these grants, Svetlana Bancheva from Bulgaria and Miriam Aghababyan from France , presented the results of their studies in the form of posters at the XI OPTIMA Meeting.

With regard to the building of the Herbarium Mediterraneum, several meetings were held with the architects to discuss the progress on the project. There were still some problems with one of the former owners of the building, although actions were in course for a final solution.

2005. In 2005 three ordinary members took advantage of the offer and the Herbarium received a total of 384 herbarium specimens. In addition, OPTIMA member S.W. Breckle donated his private herbarium of over 4,000 specimens to the Herbarium Mediterraneum Foundation. These specimens were included in Herbarium BIEL which will cease to exist upon S.W. Breckle’s retirement.

2006. In 2006 seventeen ordinary members took advantage of the offer and the Herbarium received a total of 612 herbarium specimens.

This page last updated 13 October, 2007.