Ajrekar Mycological Herbarium (AMH)
The necessity of the establishment of a mycological herbarium in the western part of India was greatly felt by researchers for carrying out comparative and monographic studies. Under the able guidance of Prof. M.N. Kamat, the mycological herbarium was established in this Department (in 1968!) and named in honor of the pioneer mycologist of the state, and the first Head of this Department, late Prof. S.L. Ajrekar. The acronym- ‘AMH’ (Ajrekar Mycological Herbarium) was included in Index Herbariorum Part I in 1974 and got international recognition. Since then acquision, verification, deposit, and accession of mycological specimens, exchange of type materials with other world-recognized herbaria such as HCIO (New Delhi, India), CMI (England), Stockholm (Sweden), Argentina, Padova (Italy), Royal Botanic Gardens (England), etc., have been regular activities. The AMH currently holds nearly 9500 fungal specimens and about 30,000 lichen samples. These include holotypes, isotypes, and authentic specimens of several noteworthy indigenous genera and species of fungi and lichens. Well-preserved fungal herbarium specimen (s)are also accepted from Indian researchers for authentication, deposit, and accession in Ajrekar Mycological Herbarium (AMH). It is advised to submit duly filled-in and signed Form 5 along with fungal specimens (s).
