Hi, my name is Jo and I work with #seaweeds, freshwater #algae and #mosses @NHM_Botany. One of my favourite specimens in the collection is this 3 metre long seaweed Alaria esculenta because it's such an eccentrically wonderful pressing.
@NHM_Science @NHM_Botany That is gorgeous. How old is the specimen?
@SarahWoodfin6 @NHM_Botany The best person to ask is @CuratorJo
@NHM_Science @SarahWoodfin6 @NHM_Botany This specimen is over 150 years old. Collected by Edward George from Whitby, UK, in 1866.
@NHM_Science @SarahWoodfin6 @NHM_Botany We don't know a lot about Mr George but he made a very large and significant collection of seaweeds from places he visited on holidays. I like to think of him floating out this enormous seaweed in the lodgings bath tub and getting in trouble with the landlady! If only we knew!
@CuratorJo @SarahWoodfin6 @NHM_Botany was he born in Salisbury?