[NHCOLL-L:738] Mold on Herbarium Specimens

[Kent Perkins]

Dear NHCOLL Group:

I'm new to this list, so please forgive me if this subject has been
previously discussed.

A collection of mounted orchid specimens provided to us have mold on the
stems and flowers. 
The specimens were added into our collection without my knowing that some
have moldy sections.  I would prefer not to deaccession the material, but,
at the same time, do not want the contamination to spread.

Does anyone have advice on treating herbarium specimens with mold on them?

The preservation experts in the library have suggested we discard or paint
moldy library materials with Lysol.  Would Lysol application to a herbarium
specimen be harmful? We would document the procedure.

Thank you.

Kent Perkins



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|Kent D. Perkins                  |Ph: 352-392-1767 /SUNCOM 622-1767 |
|Mgr. of the Collections (FLAS)   |FAX: 352-846-2016                 |
|Email: kperkins at flmnh.ufl.edu    |www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herbarium|
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|University of Florida Herbarium  |A unit in the Florida Museum of   |
|Florida Museum of Natural History|Natural History with support from |
|379 Dickinson Hall               |the UF / Institute of Food and    |
|PO Box 110575                    |Agricultural Sciences             |
|Gainesville FL  32611-0575       |                                  |
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