Herbarium

Herbarium is a collection of preserved plant specimens and associated data used for scientific study. The specimens may be whole plants or plant parts; these will usually be in dried form mounted on a sheet of paper but, depending upon the material, may also be kept in alcohol or other preservative. The collection is managed by a curator who is responsible for its care and maintenance.

History

The concept of herbaria dates back to 16th century Italy, with the first herbarium known to have been created by an Italian physician named Luca Ghini. The oldest herbarium, dating back to 1532, is preserved in the Natural History Museum, London.

Collection and Preservation

The process of collection involves the careful removal of a plant specimen from its natural habitat, ensuring that all parts of the plant, including roots, stems, leaves, and flowers, are intact. The collected specimen is then pressed and dried, typically using a plant press, to remove all moisture. The dried specimen is then mounted on a sheet of paper using a special adhesive.

Uses

Herbaria provide a reference for plant identification, offer material for systematic research, and serve as repositories for rare and endangered species. They are essential resources for studying plant taxonomy, plant ecology, and paleobotany.

Notable Herbaria

Some of the world's most notable herbaria include the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Natural History Museum, London, and the New York Botanical Garden. These institutions house millions of plant specimens and serve as important centers for botanical research.

See Also

• Botany
• Plant taxonomy
• Plant ecology
• Paleobotany