In this manual we
describe the guidelines for making a collection of herbaceous plants, specialized
equipment and its use, procedures for collection, drying, assembly and storing herbaria,
including herbaria of some complex groups of plants. Included is information on techniques
for drying, making collections of fruits and seeds, mushrooms, mosses and lichens.
This field study has instructional video
featuring real students conducting the ecological field techniques in nature. Each video
illustrates the primary instructional outcomes and the major steps in accomplishing the
task including reporting the results.
Why should students make a herbarium?
We consider it important for students to have hands-on experience with
herbariums when they:
make a list of plant species found within a certain area,
determine "areals" (areas of growth) of species,
identify ecological preferences of species,
study peculiarities of species, for instance, their geographical or environmental
variability and when they
describe new species.
Please take into consideration that a herbarium is not always made according to all of
the guidelines described here. A working herbarium can change in relation to the
objectives of the field activity. For example, only the necessary parts of plants may be
collected, such as leaves or flowers. Other botanical collections may also be compiled,
such as leafless branches of trees or seeds.
There are not many places on this planet left untouched by human activities, so
almost any plant species can be eliminated through excessive collection. We recommend that
students learn how to make herbaria using prolific species and abundant plants. While
collecting plants, make sure that the specimens you want to pick up are not the only ones
around.
Do not collect rare plants unless absolutely necessary! If you decide to make a
herbarium of rare plants you should follow these rules:
Do not dig out a whole perennial plant, a part of one sprout is usually enough;
Collect annual plants after seed dissemination;
Prior to collection make sure that the plant is not the only one in the area.
Before starting a botanical study with students, you should explain the specific
objectives of the activity and collection techniques in full detail so that students do
not focus on and collect only beautiful plants.
How to collect plants for a herbarium
Essential equipment should be prepared before the collection of herbarium
begins: 1) herbarial net with a string; 2) herbarial folder; 3) digger; 4) paper for
lining; 5) paper for labels; 6) knife; 7) filter paper; 8) cotton cloth.
The herbarial net is designed for the prolonged drying of plants. It consists of
two wooden frames with transverse crossbars and a net that is stretched on them (Picture
1). The frame size is approximately 35 cm x 50 cm. The frame can be made without
crossbars, although in this case, the net will wear out quickly and plants will be not be
as spread out they could be. A strong cord is required for tightening the herbarial
net; it should be about 3.5 m long.
A herbarial folder is required for the collection of plants in the course of an
excursion. Its size is about the same as the herbarial net. It consists of two veneer
boards, thin plywood or strong cardboard, where a string or small straps run through the
hole (Picture 2). It can be tightened or tied up and have a handle in order to make it
easier to carry.
Paper linings are necessary in order to interlay plants chosen for the herbarium.
Any highly absorbent paper can be used for these purposes, although newspapers work very
...
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In this manual we
describe the guidelines for making a collection of herbaceous plants, specialized
equipment and its use, procedures for collection, drying, assembly and storing herbaria,
including herbaria of some complex groups of plants. Included is information on techniques
for drying, making collections of fruits and seeds, mushrooms, mosses and lichens. 
Our Paperback and eBooks on Amazon, Google Play and App Store