What is a herbarium?

A herbarium is a collection of dried and preserved plant specimens that are carefully labeled and stored for scientific study and reference.

Here’s a explanation:

• When botanists collect plants from the wild, they press them flat between sheets of paper and dry them.
• These dried plants are then mounted (pasted) on special sheets of paper, with labels that include information such as:
  • The plant’s scientific name
  • The place and date of collection
  • The name of the collector
  • The habitat and any special features of the plant

These sheets are kept in cupboards or cabinets and arranged in a scientific order so they can be easily studied.

Uses of a Herbarium:

1. Identification and Classification:
   Botanists use herbarium specimens to identify and compare plant species.
2. Reference Material:
   It serves as a permanent record of plant diversity from different regions and times.
3. Research:
   Scientists study plant structure, distribution, and evolution using herbarium collections.
4. Education:
   Herbaria are used in teaching botany and plant taxonomy.
5. Conservation:
   They help in recording and protecting information about rare and endangered plant species.

Examples of Famous Herbaria:

• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK)
• Central National Herbarium, Howrah (India)
• Missouri Botanical Garden Herbarium (USA)

In short:
A herbarium is like a library of plants, where dried and labeled plant specimens are stored for study, research, and education.