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What are procedures for preparation plants for herbarium?
YUSUFU KANDITA
Jan 27
What are procedures for preparation plants for herbarium?
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Jan 27
The following are the general procedures for preparing plants for a herbarium:
1. Collection: Collect plant specimens from the field. Choose healthy and representative individuals that are in flower or fruit. Include as much of the plant as possible, including leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, and roots if feasible.
2. Pressing: Place the collected plant specimen between sheets of absorbent paper or newspaper. Arrange the plant in a way that all parts are visible and not overlapping. Place additional sheets of absorbent paper between each plant specimen. Place the plant stack between wooden boards or cardboard and secure them tightly with straps or rubber bands.
3. Drying: Hang the pressed plant specimens in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated area. Ensure that the specimens are not exposed to direct sunlight or excessive heat. The drying process may take several days to a few weeks, depending on the plant's moisture content.
4. Mounting: Once the specimens are completely dry, remove them from the press. Arrange the plant parts on a herbarium sheet, typically made of acid-free paper or cardstock. Include a label with essential information such as the plant's scientific name, collection date, location, collector's name, and any additional notes.
5. Gluing: Use acid-free glue or adhesive to attach the plant parts to the herbarium sheet. Ensure that the glue is applied sparingly and only on non-essential parts of the plant, such as the stem or base of leaves. Avoid gluing over important diagnostic features like flowers or fruits.
6. Labeling: Attach a label to the lower right corner of the herbarium sheet. The label should include the same information as mentioned earlier, along with a unique herbarium accession number. This number helps in cataloging and referencing the specimen in the herbarium collection.
7. Preservation: Store the prepared herbarium specimens in a dry and cool environment to prevent damage from pests, humidity, or sunlight. Ideally, they should be stored in acid-free folders or archival boxes to ensure long-term preservation.
It is important to note that specific herbarium institutions may have their own guidelines and requirements for specimen preparation. Therefore, it is advisable to consult the herbarium's curator or follow any specific instructions provided by the institution.
1. Collection: Collect plant specimens from the field. Choose healthy and representative individuals that are in flower or fruit. Include as much of the plant as possible, including leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, and roots if feasible.
2. Pressing: Place the collected plant specimen between sheets of absorbent paper or newspaper. Arrange the plant in a way that all parts are visible and not overlapping. Place additional sheets of absorbent paper between each plant specimen. Place the plant stack between wooden boards or cardboard and secure them tightly with straps or rubber bands.
3. Drying: Hang the pressed plant specimens in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated area. Ensure that the specimens are not exposed to direct sunlight or excessive heat. The drying process may take several days to a few weeks, depending on the plant's moisture content.
4. Mounting: Once the specimens are completely dry, remove them from the press. Arrange the plant parts on a herbarium sheet, typically made of acid-free paper or cardstock. Include a label with essential information such as the plant's scientific name, collection date, location, collector's name, and any additional notes.
5. Gluing: Use acid-free glue or adhesive to attach the plant parts to the herbarium sheet. Ensure that the glue is applied sparingly and only on non-essential parts of the plant, such as the stem or base of leaves. Avoid gluing over important diagnostic features like flowers or fruits.
6. Labeling: Attach a label to the lower right corner of the herbarium sheet. The label should include the same information as mentioned earlier, along with a unique herbarium accession number. This number helps in cataloging and referencing the specimen in the herbarium collection.
7. Preservation: Store the prepared herbarium specimens in a dry and cool environment to prevent damage from pests, humidity, or sunlight. Ideally, they should be stored in acid-free folders or archival boxes to ensure long-term preservation.
It is important to note that specific herbarium institutions may have their own guidelines and requirements for specimen preparation. Therefore, it is advisable to consult the herbarium's curator or follow any specific instructions provided by the institution.
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