Unlocking the World of Plants through Preservation

A plant herbarium is a collection of preserved plant specimens used for scientific study, education, and conservation. These collections serve as valuable resources for botanists, ecologists, and researchers to identify plants, understand their characteristics, and track biodiversity changes over time. But did you know that you can create your own herbarium at home or as part of a community project?

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the process of creating a plant herbarium, from collecting specimens to properly pressing and preserving them for future generations.

🌿 Why Create a Herbarium?

Before diving into the technical steps, it's important to understand the significance of a herbarium. By preserving plant specimens, you are contributing to a record of plant diversity that may be useful for future research. Here are some key reasons to create a plant herbarium:

  • Educational Value: Herbariums are essential tools in botany classes, environmental studies, and natural history museums.

  • Plant Identification: A herbarium can serve as a reference to help you and others identify plants in the future.

  • Biodiversity Tracking: By collecting specimens from different areas over time, you can observe changes in plant populations due to climate change, human activities, or habitat loss.

  • Historical Record: Herbariums preserve not just the plant, but also important data such as the plant's location, habitat, and time of collection, which can help scientists track the evolution of plant species.

🧳 Materials You Will Need

Creating your own plant herbarium requires a few simple materials, many of which you likely have at home or can easily acquire. Here's a list of what you'll need:

  • Plant specimens: These can be flowers, leaves, stems, or even seeds. Choose plants that are healthy and relatively free from damage.

  • Paper: Special herbarium paper is best, but heavy cardstock or blotting paper will work in a pinch.

  • Pressing materials: You’ll need a plant press, which can be a commercially available press or DIY press made from two wooden boards, some cardboard, and newspapers. If you don’t have a press, you can use heavy books.

  • Scissors and tweezers: For cutting and handling the plants carefully.

  • Glue or tape: To affix the specimens to the paper after pressing.

  • Labels: These are essential for recording information about each specimen, including its scientific name, location, date of collection, and any observations.

  • Pencil or pen: To write the label information.

  • Drying materials: If you're not using a press, you can use paper towels or newspapers to absorb moisture from the plant specimens.

🌿 Collecting the Specimens

The first step in creating your herbarium is collecting the plants you want to preserve. When collecting specimens, there are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Choose the Right Plant

Look for plants that are in good condition and representative of the species you wish to preserve. If you're new to herbarium-making, start with simple plants like flowers or leaves from common trees and shrubs. If you’re an advanced enthusiast, you might choose to collect rare or endangered species.

2. Record Information

When you collect a specimen, record essential information, such as:

  • Plant name (common and scientific)

  • Date of collection

  • Location (latitude, longitude, habitat type)

  • Growth stage (flowering, fruiting, etc.)

  • Environmental conditions (e.g., soil type, surrounding vegetation)

This data will be important for future reference, especially when identifying the plant or researching its uses or ecological significance.

3. Handle with Care

Carefully cut the plant with scissors or tweezers, making sure to preserve its natural shape. For flowers or smaller plants, it's helpful to collect a few extra specimens in case one gets damaged during the pressing process.

🌿 Pressing and Drying the Specimens

The key to a successful herbarium specimen is proper pressing and drying. This process flattens the plant, removes moisture, and preserves the plant's form and color for long-term storage.

1. Place the Specimen Between Paper

Place the plant specimen between two sheets of newspaper or blotting paper, arranging the plant so that it’s as flat as possible. Try to spread the leaves, flowers, and stems out so they dry evenly and retain their natural shape.

2. Use a Plant Press

If you have a plant press, place the specimen between the sheets of paper inside the press. Tighten the press to apply gentle pressure to the plant. If you don’t have a press, you can use heavy books, ensuring the plant is evenly pressed on both sides. Make sure the weight is distributed evenly to avoid damaging the specimen.

3. Drying Time

Allow the specimens to dry for about 7-10 days, checking them periodically to ensure they are drying evenly. You may need to replace the paper if it becomes too wet or damp.

🌿 Mounting the Specimens

Once your plant specimens are completely dry, it’s time to mount them onto herbarium paper.

1. Preparing the Label

Create a label for each specimen, ensuring it contains:

  • Scientific name (Genus and species)

  • Common name

  • Collection date

  • Location (GPS coordinates, local features)

  • Collector's name

  • Additional notes (such as habitat, environmental conditions, etc.)

2. Attaching the Specimen

Use a glue stick or acid-free tape to attach the dried plant to the herbarium paper. Be careful not to apply too much glue, as it can cause the plant to become stiff or discolored. Arrange the specimen neatly and try to avoid overlapping parts.

3. Final Touches

Once your specimens are glued down, you can place them in a protective folder or store them flat in a safe, dry place. Be sure to keep them away from direct sunlight, which could fade the colors over time.

🌿 Caring for Your Herbarium

Your herbarium is a living record of your plant collection, and proper care is essential to preserve it for years to come.

  • Store in a cool, dry place: Excess moisture or heat can damage your specimens, so store your herbarium in a dry, temperature-controlled area.

  • Avoid direct sunlight: Exposure to sunlight can cause fading and deterioration of both the plant material and the paper.

  • Check periodically for pests: Insects or mold can damage your specimens, so it’s important to inspect your herbarium for signs of pest infestation. Use cedar chips or mothballs as a deterrent.

  • Catalog your collection: Consider creating a digital catalog of your herbarium to keep track of your specimens and ensure you have accurate data for research purposes.

🌿 The Educational Value of a Herbarium

Creating a herbarium offers more than just a chance to preserve plant specimens. It also provides a great opportunity to learn about plant identification, plant ecology, and the natural world around you. Whether you're interested in starting a personal collection, contributing to community projects, or simply learning more about the plants in your area, building a herbarium is an exciting way to connect with nature.

With each specimen you collect and preserve, you’re contributing to a greater understanding of plant life and ensuring that valuable botanical knowledge is passed on to future generations.

Do you have any plant collection tips or herbarium experiences to share? Drop a comment below and let us know!