Plant Identification Services at
the National Herbarium (PRE)
A plant identification service is provided to individuals,
nurseries, other herbaria, consultants, universities, nature conservationists,
other government departments, registered collectors, SABONET countries
as well as to NBI staff.
The aim is to assist users to contribute to the high standard of plant
taxonomy in South Africa by using the most recent names for our very rich
flora.
General guidelines
- When requesting plant identifications, a form has to be completed.
- We have opted to have a set rate for identification rather than an
hourly rate for the expertise of the identifier, referring to it as
a handling fee.
- The rates include computerisation, preparation and posting of provisional
and final dispatch lists as well as telephonic and written liaison with
clients.
- In cases where clients would like their specimens returned, arrangements
should be made with the officer in charge. Pacckaging and postage costs
are R40 per 10 specimens or part thereof.
Conditions and handling charges for the service
- Sterile specimens: R50 per specimen regardless of which category is
chosen. Specimens will be identified to the nearest name, which can
often only be that of a family.
- Urgent identifications: General and life-and- death cases (exclusively
for Onderstepoort, SAP & Poison Units): R50 per specimen with immediate
attention; the best possible identification will be given depending
on the quality of the specimen.
- Standard identifications: R15 per specimen with names provided in
90 days. This applies to researchers, students, private individuals,
institutions, universities and conservationists. Only fertile specimens
will be considered for identification. Collectors will be charged for
all specimens submitted.
- Free identifications: No charge, names will be given when available.
Good quality specimens must be donated to the NBI. Inferior specimens
will be discarded before identification and no specimens will be returned
to collectors. This applies to countries participating in an exchange
programme, gifts, private individuals and researchers where speed of
identification is not important and to the affiliated collectors collecting
in under-collected areas.
- Commercial ventures EIAs, non-NBI projects and publications: A basic
charge of R250 and R50 per specimen. Names will be provided within 14
days. We undertake to identify all specimens to the lowest possible
rank; immature, infertile or otherwise poor specimens can sometimes
be identified only to family or genus level; collectors will be charged
for all specimens submitted.
- Specimens from extra-FSA areas and SABONET countries: No charge and
names will be given within 90 days. Good quality specimens must be donated
to the NBI. Inferior specimens will be discarded before identification
and no specimens will be returned to collectors.
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