‘Algae’ is an artificial concept for a diverse assemblage that spans four of the five supergroups of eukaryotes and one group of prokaryotes in the tree of life.
Algae range from single cells through to complex multicellular forms several metres in length.
The seaweeds represent the largest part of the algal collections.
Approximately 3 per cent of species in the phylum Rhodophyta are restricted to freshwater habitats.
This varied section of the algal collections includes species whose features are best seen under a microscope.
The charophyte collection includes important historic specimens and is rich in type material.
Through modern analytical techniques, the historic cyanobacteria collection is giving up new secrets.
The algal herbarium holds a small collection of other algal groups.