The Fungal Herbarium of Guangdong Institute of Microbiology (GDGM) was established in the early 1960s in order to explore fungal resources in southern China. It is the largest fungal specimen museum in South China. Over 70,000 fungal specimens are housed in it, representing 2,000 fungal species which were collected from tropical and subtropical regions mainly from Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan and Sichuan provinces. Some macrofungi were also collected from other parts of China including Jilin, Xizang, et al. Some samples from outside of China (North America, Bangladesh, Finland, Vietnam, etc.) were also collected and deposited here. The fungarium contains 150 type specimens, and 700 new recorded species in China.

In Guangdong Province: Approximately 1200 macrofungi specimens were collected, belonging to 20 orders, 56 families, and 239 genera; including 58 new species, new varieties, and 466 new domestic records. A total of 208 species of edible mushrooms, 123 species of medicinal and 100  species of poisonous mushrooms are known to occur from this region.

　　In Hainan Province: About 305 species fungal were collected, including 17 new species, new varieties, and 70 new domestic records. 100 species are regional records. There are 118 species of edible fungi, 35 species of medicinal mushroom. Sample were collected mainly from Wuzhishan, Diaoluoshan, Jianfengling, Bawangling, Xisha Islands and Yongxing Island.

　　Laboulbeniales: Approximately 5000 specimens of Chinese Laboulbeniales were collected all over the country. The fungarium is the only place in China where all specimens of this order have been deposited.

Meliolaceae: Over 2000 specimens of Chinese Meliolaceae were preserved, and it contains most of the species occurring in China.

This fungarium is open for all, and some science popularization activities are held for students and citizens. It has been recognized as members of both Guangdong Science Education Base and Guangzhou Science and Technology Education Base.

Services at a glace

1.      Open for all to introduce various fungal specimens and to share knowledge of mushroom identification, edibility and poisonous species.

2.      Slide preparation for microscopic observation for primary and secondary school students.

3.      Campaigning citizen science and arranging field excursion for school students.

4.      Preparation of fungal specimens for scientific study.

5.      Training on edible mushroom cultivation technology.

6.      Teaching line drawing techniques of mushroom anatomy for primary and secondary school students.