Herbarium facts for kids

facade of Harvard Herbaria building

An herbarium is like a special library for plants! Instead of books, it stores dried and pressed plant specimens. These specimens are usually mounted on sheets of paper. An herbarium can also be the building where these plant collections are kept. It is also the scientific place that not only stores these plants but also studies them.

Scientists use herbaria to learn about plants from all over the world. They help us understand plant life, how plants have changed over time, and even discover new species.

What is an Herbarium?

An herbarium is a collection of preserved plant specimens. Each specimen is carefully dried, pressed flat, and then attached to a sheet of paper. This sheet usually includes a label with important information. The label tells us where and when the plant was collected. It also lists who collected it and what species it is.

Why are Herbaria Important?

Herbaria are super important for many reasons. They are like a historical record of plant life on Earth.

• Studying Biodiversity: Scientists use herbaria to identify different plant species. They can also learn about how many different types of plants exist in an area. This helps us understand Earth's amazing biodiversity.
• Tracking Changes: By looking at old specimens, scientists can see how plants have changed over time. This can help them understand the effects of climate change or pollution on plants.
• Discovering New Species: Sometimes, a plant collected long ago might turn out to be a species no one knew about before! Herbaria are key to these discoveries.
• Research and Education: Researchers use herbaria for all sorts of studies. Students also visit herbaria to learn about plants firsthand.

How Plants are Stored

Collecting and storing plants for an herbarium is a careful process.

Collecting Plants

When a scientist collects a plant, they gather a good sample. This sample usually includes leaves, flowers, and sometimes fruits. They record details like the exact location, date, and habitat.

Drying and Pressing

The collected plant is then pressed flat between sheets of absorbent paper. It is placed in a plant press, which applies even pressure. This helps the plant dry quickly and keeps its shape. Drying prevents the plant from rotting or getting moldy.

Mounting and Labeling

Once dry, the plant is carefully attached to a sturdy sheet of paper. Special glue or tape is used to keep it in place. A detailed label is then added to the sheet. This label is like the plant's ID card. It includes its scientific name, where it was found, the date, and the collector's name.

Storing Specimens

The finished plant sheets are stored in special cabinets. These cabinets protect the plants from insects, dust, and light. Herbaria often have hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of specimens! Each specimen is organized by its scientific family, genus, and species. This makes it easy for scientists to find what they need.

Famous Herbaria Around the World

There are many large and important herbaria across the globe. Some of the most famous ones include:

• The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in England.
• The New York Botanical Garden in the United States.
• The Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, France.
• The Swedish Museum of Natural History in Stockholm, Sweden.

These big herbaria often have special codes or acronyms. For example, specimens from the New York Botanical Garden are often marked with "NY". This helps scientists know where a specimen is kept.

Related Plant Collections

• Herbal: In the past, especially during the Middle Ages, an herbal was a book. It described plants and their uses, often for medicine. Herbaria are a modern, scientific way of collecting and studying plants.

Images for kids

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  Herbarium specimens ("exsiccatae") of various Nepenthes at the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris, France

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  Herbarium book with Japanese plants, Siebold collection Leiden, 1825

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  Preparing a plant for mounting

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  A large herbarium may have hundreds of cases filled with specimens.

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  The Swedish Museum of Natural History (S), Stockholm, Sweden

See also

In Spanish: Herbario para niños