In: Sydowia 79, (2026): 59-75; ISSN 0082-0598, DOI 10.12905/0380.sydowia79-2027-0059, Published online on april 13th, 2026

The mycological legacy of Camille Torrend S.J.: a call for recognition

Maria Teresa Gonçalves, Cidália Fidalgo, Filipe Covelo, & Fátima Sales

Centre for Functional Ecology, Laboratório Associado TERRA, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Universidade de Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, EH3 5LR, UK.

* e-mail: mtgoncal@bot.uc.pt

Gonçalves M.T., Fidalgo C., Covelo F. & Sales F. (2026) The mycological legacy of Camille Torrend S.J.: a call for recognition. – Sydowia 79: 59–75.

Camille [Camilo] Torrend (1875–1961), a French Jesuit, became a mycologist while living in Portugal (1894–1910). Immersed in a scientific network facilitated by the Jesuit community and trained by the leading experts of the time, Torrend made significant contributions to mycological collections, published material primarily from Portugal, and described many new species. We describe Torrend’s scientific activities until 1914, when he left for Brazil, and analyse his collection that remained in Portugal, the former mycological collection of the College of São Fiel, kept in the Herbarium of the University of Coimbra and available on the online catalogue. It contains 1854 specimens, 60 % from Portugal and 57 % collected by Torrend. However, it also contains material from 24 other countries and 87 other collectors. Most of the specimens have never been revised; the collection currently totals 1550 taxa. The specimens have no collector number, sometimes lack a locality or date of collection, which makes it difficult for specialists to use them. By reviewing Torrend’s career and difficulties, we highlight his significant contributions to mycology and shed light on the missing data on many specimens.
Today, his material is in many countries, primarily in Portugal and Brazil.

Keywords: Fungi, scientific networks, Jesuit Colleges, Coimbra Herbarium, myxomycetes.