A herbarium is a library for plants, where each page holds a dried and preserved plant specimen. It’s a wonderful project for anyone interested in nature, from students and hobbyists to researchers. If you are interested in learning what a herbarium is, why it can be useful, and how to make one, read further.
This article will help you learn how to collect, press, and dry plants, as well as organize and design your unique herbarium collection.
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What is a herbarium? Definition and examples
The term “herbarium” is a combination of two Latin words: “herba” (which means plant) and “rium” (which means repository or collection). As the name suggests, this is a collection of preserved plants that are arranged and used for various purposes, such as:
- Botanical research;
- References for plant identification and classification;
- Teaching botany and plant sciences;
- Biodiversity conservation, especially now, when an estimated 40% of plant species risk extinction;
- Historical records.
Besides that, herbariums can be used as a source of inspiration. One can also assemble a herbarium as a hobby or as a school or university assignment.
Herbariums exist in various forms. For instance, you can physically visit the New York Botanical Garden to see the most prominent herbarium examples. Its William & Lynda Steere Herbarium contains 7.8 million specimens and is the second-largest herbarium in the world. You can also check out digital herbariums or craft herbarium books or series of pictures, creating a unique herbarium at home.
5 essential steps to designing a herbarium
The process of creating a herbarium involves several steps, from collecting plants to cataloging them. Here’s how you can do that:
Collect herbarium leaves and flowers
At this point, you need to collect herbarium leaves, flowers, stems, roots, and all the other specimens you might want to add to your collection. Choose ones that are healthy, place them in plastic bags, and record all the important information about them, from location to any characteristic you consider notable. The important thing here is to ensure that you have the necessary permissions to collect plants, especially in protected areas. If you have a garden, you can collect them from your own space!
Press leaves and flowers for a herbarium
How do you prepare to press flowers, leaves, and other specimens? Ensure that you have all the necessary materials ready. These include a plant press (with blotters and cardboard), newspapers or blotting paper, and weights or straps to apply pressure.
First, lay the specimens flat between newspaper or blotting paper sheets and arrange them nicely. Then, put them in the plant press, alternating with cardboard for support. Tighten the press with straps or place weights on top.
After that, you need to keep this press in a dry, warm place. Change the blotting paper every few days to prevent mold and ensure thorough drying.
For how long should you press leaves for a herbarium?
The pressing length depends on a specific plant, but generally, the process takes 1–2 weeks. For example, pressing succulent leaves might take 2–3 weeks. On the contrary, pressing thin, delicate leaves like those of ferns takes around one week. How long does it take to press flowers? Pressing thick, fleshy flowers like roses usually takes 2–3 weeks. On the other hand, delicate flowers like daisies might only take about one week.
Mount specimens
Once all your plants are pressed and dried, attach them to the herbarium sheets using glue or adhesive tape. All their parts have to be firmly attached without overlapping too much.
Then, attach a detailed label to each sheet. Usually, a label includes:
- The plant’s scientific name (and common name, if desired);
- Collection location (GPS coordinates if available);
- Date of collection;
- Collector’s name;
- Description of the habitat and any other relevant notes.
However, if you’re creating a herbarium for personal purposes, you can drop out certain things and add other information on the labels instead. For example, you can include the significance of the plant to you (e.g., it’s a plant from your garden or a favorite hiking spot), personal observations or memories associated with the plant, inspiration drawn from it, etc.
Catalog and storage
To catalog items, assign a unique identification number to each specimen. Then, record all these details in a catalog, be it a digital database or a physical book.
Store the plants in herbarium cabinets, books, or boxes. The environment should be cool and dry to prevent damage from pests, moisture, and light.
Digitize (if necessary)
You can skip this step if you have no intentions of digitizing your collection. However, if you do, equip yourself with a high-resolution scanner or camera and a computer.
Scan each herbarium sheet to create a digital image. Then, all specimen data should be entered into a digital database with the relevant images attached. Now, your herbarium is digitally preserved and accessible for remote research and study.
Now that you know what a herbarium is, you can probably see for yourself why creating one can be a rewarding and educational experience. It will allow you to connect deeply with the world of plants while doing something interesting and creative at the same time. Follow the step-by-step process outlined in this article to build a personal collection of herbarium leaves that can serve various purposes, from botanical research and education to artistic inspiration. Happy collecting!
