The Burnley Horticultural College Collection comprises approximately 7,000 specimens that were originally used for teaching and research at the (now) University of Melbourne's Burnley campus. The collection reflects the research and expertise of Burnley College staff and students and specimens are predominantly horticultural and invasive plant species, with many specimens accompanied by detailed horticultural/botanical notes and illustrations from student projects.
The Burnley Horticultural College herbarium and was donated to MELU in 2007. Since then this collection has been curated largely through the efforts of many engaged volunteer citizen scientists who have contributed to two virtual expeditions offered through the Atlas of Living Australia DigiVol program. Volunteers have transcribed data from specimen labels of approximately 1000 specimens during two expeditions, focusing on Legumes and Edible plant families of the Burnley Horticultural College Collection.
Acknowledgements: Support for curation of the Burnley Horticultural College Collection has come from the Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria.