Questions and Answers
What is a herbarium?
A collection of dried plants systematically named and arranged for study.
What material is essential for the drying of large specimens?
Corrugated aluminium sheets
Which chemical is commonly used for poisoning dried specimens?
What are the functions of herbaria?
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What is the main purpose of mounting botanical specimens?
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The first person credited with the development of herbarium techniques is _____ Ghini.
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Which of the following is NOT a stage in herbarium preparation?
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What method can be used for the fumigation of specimens?
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A 3.75% solution of LPCP is diluted in _____ spirit.
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What type of glue is commonly used for mounting in herbaria?
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The Royal Botanical Garden at Kew is the largest herbarium in the world.
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What is the purpose of the Accession Book/Register?
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What is included in the basic data required on a herbarium label? (Select all that apply)
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Herbarium sheets are immediately inserted into the main Herbarium after preparation.
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What did Joseph Pitton de Tournefort contribute to herbarium history?
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In herbarium preparation, what is the purpose of using blotting papers?
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Match the following herbaria with their locations:
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What types of materials can be included in herbarium collections?
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What temperature is recommended for storing specimens to prevent insect entry?
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Fumigation of the herbarium is not necessary if pest entry is not observed.
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Study Notes
Introduction to Herbarium
- A herbarium is a collection of dried, mounted, and labeled plant specimens stored systematically for study.
- Functions as a museum for botanic specimens, contrasting with botanical gardens that house living plants.
- Provides critical data on plant morphology, distribution, and reproductive traits.
Aims and Functions of Herbaria
- Assembles comprehensive information about plant habits, varieties, and uses.
- Serves as a repository for research and identification, focusing on local, national, or global flora.
- Involved in DNA analysis, documentation of rare/extinct species, and identifying new species.
- Aids in agriculture, biosecurity, and forensic studies by providing morphological data and species locality information.
Historical Context
- Origin attributed to Luca Ghini in the late 15th century; developed drying methods for plant specimens.
- Early specimens created by students of Ghini are largely lost; notable contributions from Andrea Caesalpini and Ulisse Aldrovandi.
- Joseph Pitton de Tournefort first used the term "herbarium" around 1700, which gained popularity from Linnaeus in the 18th century.
Global Herbarium Statistics
- As of December 31, 2021, the Index Herbariorum reported 3,522 active herbaria worldwide containing over 397 million specimens.
- Largest herbaria include:
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (8.1 million specimens)
- Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris (8 million)
- New York Botanical Garden (7.9 million)
Notable Herbaria in Ghana
- The Ghana Herbarium, established in 1948, supports plant research with approximately 90,000 specimens, including historical samples dating back to 1898.
- Ancillary collections include spirit-preserved plants and fossils, serving as a taxonomic research center.
Preparation Process for Herbarium Specimens
- Key stages include specimen collection, drying, poisoning, mounting, labeling, and storing.
- Essential tools include field presses, blotting papers, collection bags, notebooks, and cameras for documentation.
Plant Collection Guidelines
- Collect comprehensive specimens, including roots, leaves, and flowers, ensuring size fits herbarium sheets.
- Utilize vasculum or field press for transportation; prioritize preserving quality during collection.
Lab Procedures for Specimen Preparation
- Use heavy plant presses and blotters for effective drying; consider hot air ovens for moisture removal.
- Fix soft plant parts to prevent decomposition, utilizing chemicals like formaldehyde when necessary.
Importance of Drying and Preservation
- Drying is crucial to avoid decay; involves changing blotters to maintain moisture-absorption efficiency.
- Specimens are poisoned with chemicals to prevent insect damage, using solutions such as Lauryl pentachlorophenate.
Mounting Techniques
- Specimens must be securely mounted on paper for stability, ensuring they can withstand handling.
- PVA glue is commonly used, providing a permanent bond that doesn’t dissolve in water.
Summary
- Herbaria are vital for ecological research, taxonomic studies, and conservation efforts.
- Understanding the processes of collection, preparation, and preservation of specimens is essential for effective herbarium management and research.### Mounting Specimens
- Traditional mounting involves applying glue to a clean glass plate and placing the specimen on it, allowing adhesion to occur before transferring to a herbarium mount.
- For delicate plant parts, mounting tape is used to secure specimens, while thicker components like stems and seeds may be attached with durable thread and needle.
- A herbarium label, detailing essential information about the specimen, is typically placed near the lower-right corner of the mounted sheet.
Labelling
- Labels must include basic data such as field number, date and location of collection, plant name, and family.
- Additional information like plant habit, habitat, availability, local name, and characteristics not observable from dried specimens should also be included.
- Information is recorded during collection and later transferred to the labels.
Storage of Specimens
- Prepared herbarium sheets are temporarily stored in a separate cabinet before being organized in the main Herbarium.
- Temporary storage is done alphabetically by family or genus names prior to final placement.
- Type specimens are stored in designated areas to protect them from fire and damage.
Fumigation
- Fumigation is crucial for preventing insect and microbe infestations; it involves filling an area with gaseous pesticides like methyl bromide or using nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
- Controlled fumigation chambers and low-temperature refrigerators (below -20°C) are utilized for specimen protection, often requiring them to stay for 7-14 days.
- Alternative methods to combat pests include heating specimens to 45°C for several hours or freezing them at temperatures between -18°C and -30°C for a minimum of 48 hours.
Documentation and Accessioning
- The Accession Book keeps a record of stored sheets, with each sheet assigned a unique accession number for identification.
- Recent advancements include the use of barcodes to track specimens, facilitating quick access to specimen data.
- Accession numbers are printed in the lower-left corner of mounted sheets; barcodes are placed in the upper-right corner for efficient data retrieval.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamentals of plant morphology and focuses on the concept of herbaria. Students will learn to define a herbarium, its functions, and its significance in botanical studies. Prepare to explore the essential aspects of plant collection and preservation.
