Terms discussed: century (pl. centuries), decade (pl. decades)
Exsiccati are dried fungi, identified and so labeled by an expert, usually sent outside their area of collection so that non-local mycologists can familiarize themselves with the fungi of the location. Exsiccati were usually issued in sets of ten (decades) or a hundred (centuries), and their sale was an important source of income to Ravanel, Cooke, and Lesquereux. The exchange of exsiccati has historically been an important way for botanical institutions to exchange information about their local flora.
Back to top
