Biology project work

Investigatory Project
Topic: Herbarium Sheet

Name: Subhadeep dash

Class: xii(science)
School: oriental public school
Year: 2017-18
This is to certify that the project work entitled,”
Preparation of Herbarium”, carried out by Subhadeep
Dash of Class XII(Science) on Biology during the
academic session 2017-18 is a original work as per the
rules & regulations and guidelines issued by the Central
Board of Secondary Education.

1) ………………………………………… ………………………………………..
2) ………………………………………… Internal examiner
External examiner
 Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my biology
teacher, Dr.(Mrs) Sarbani Dutta(Roy) for her vital
support, courage and encouragement- without which the
project has not come forth. I would also like to express
my gratitude to the principal of my institution, Mrs.
Hardeep Kaur Jandu and also my Biology laboratory
assistant, Mr. Chiranjit Mondal. I can’t forget to offer my
sincere thanks to my classmates who helped me to carry
out this project work successfully & for their valuable
advice & support, which I received from them time to
time.
- Subhadeep Dash
Class:- XII(Science)
 Index
Topic Page No.
 Aim:- 01
 Materials Required:- 01
 Introduction:- 02
 Procedure:- 04
 Uses of herbarium sheets:- 05
 Brief description about the plant specimens:- 06-36
 Gulmohar:- 07-09
 Lemon:- 10-12
 Guava:- 13-15
 Bael:- 16-18
 Mango:- 19-21
 Deodar:- 22-24
 Orange Jasmine:- 25-27
 Basil:- 28-30
 Madagascar Periwinkle:- 31-33
 China rose:- 34-36
 Conclusion:- 37
 Bibliography:- 38
 Aim
The aim of this project is to create herbarium sheets of various
plants of different species along with their taxonomical
hierarchy, description and economic importance.
Materials Required
 Samples of various leaves.
 Old newspapers.
 Herbarium sheet.
 Gum.

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 Introduction
A herbarium (plural: herbaria) is a collection of preserved plant
specimens and associated data used for scientific study. The term can
also refer to the building or room where the specimens are housed,
or to the scientific institute that not only stores but uses them for
research. The specimens may be whole plants or plant parts; these
will usually be in dried form mounted on a sheet of paper but,
depending upon the material, may also be stored in boxes or kept in
alcohol or other preservative. The specimens in a herbarium are
often used as reference material in describing plant taxa. The same
term is often used in mycology to describe an equivalent collection of
preserved fungi, otherwise known as a fungarium. A xylarium is a
herbarium specialising in specimens of wood. The term hortorium (as
in the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium) has occasionally been applied
to a herbarium specialising in preserving material of horticultural
origin. 02
A sample of Herbarium sheet
 Procedure
To prepare a perfect herbarium sheet one needs to follow some
specific processes to complete this successfully.
 First, collection of the plant specimen.
 Second, drying of the plant specimen.
 Third, pressing of the dried plant specimen into the herbarium
sheet.
 Fourth, mounting of the dried plant specimen into the herbarium
sheet.
 Fifth, sticking of the dried specimen into the herbarium sheet.
 Sixth, labeling of the plant part along with it’s classification.
 Seventh, Ultimately the herbarium sheet is completed for
deposition.
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 Uses of Herbarium sheet
Herbarium collections can have great significance and value to science, and
have a large number of uses. Herbaria are essential for the study of plant
taxonomy, the study of geographic distributions, and the stabilizing of
nomenclature. Specimens housed in herbaria may be used to catalogue
or identify the flora of an area. A large collection from a single area is used
in writing a field guide or manual to aid in the identification of plants that
grow there. With more specimens available, the author of the guide will
better understand the variability of form in the plants and the natural
distribution over which the plants grow. In some cases, plants become
extinct in one area or may become extinct altogether. In such cases,
specimens preserved in an herbarium can represent the only record of the
plant's original distribution. Herbaria have also proven very useful as
sources of plant DNA for use in taxonomy and molecular systematics.

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 Gulmohur
 Introduction:- Delonix regia or Gulmohar is noted for its fern-like leaves and
flamboyant display of flowers. In many tropical parts of the world it is grown as
an ornamental tree and in English it is given the name royal poinciana or flamboyant. It
is also one of several trees known as “ Flame tree”. The flowers of Delonix regia are
large, with four spreading scarlet or orange-red petals up to 8 cm long, and a fifth
upright petal called the standard, which is slightly larger and spotted with yellow and
white. They appear in corymbs along and at the ends of branches.
 Distribution and habitat:- Delonix regia is endemic to the Madagascar’s dry deciduous
forests but has been introduced into tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide. In the
wild it is endangered, but it is widely cultivated elsewhere.
 Importances:- Though this plant does not have any economical importance directly,
but it is indirectly economically sustainable because it has some cultural significance. In
the Indian state of Kerala, royal poinciana is called kaalvarippoo which means the
flower of Calvary. There is a popular belief among Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala that
when Jesus was crucified, there was a small royal poinciana tree nearby his Cross. It is
believed that the blood of Jesus Christ was shed over the flowers of the tree and this is
how the flowers of royal poinciana got a sharp red colour.
Lemon leaves
 Lemon
 Introduction:- Citrus limon (L.) or lemon is a species of small evergreen tree,
which is native to Asia. The tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit is used for culinary
and non-culinary purposes throughout the world, primarily for its juice, which
has both culinary and cleaning uses. The juice of the lemon is about 5% to
6% citric acid which gives a sour taste.
 Distribution and Habitat:- The origin of the lemon is unknown, though
lemons are thought to have first grown in Assam (a region in Northeast India),
northern Burma or China. But now a days, it has been cultivated throughout
the world and the leading producers are India, Mexico, Argentina, China, and
Brazil.
 Importances:- Lemon have very wide range of use in medicinal purposes, but
in industrial purposes lemon is used as major source for the production of
Citric acid. For medicinal uses, Lemon oil may be used in aromatherapy. Lemon
oil aroma does not influence the human immune system, but may contribute
to relaxation.
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Guava leaves
 Guava
 Introduction:- Psidium guajava or Guava are common tropical fruits cultivated and
enjoyed in many tropical and subtropical regions. It is a small tree which is native
to Mexico, Central America, and northern Southern America. The most frequently eaten
species, and the one often simply referred to as "the guava", is the apple guava Guavas
are typical Myrtoideae, with tough dark leaves that are opposite, simple, elliptic to
ovate and 5–15 centimetres (2.0–5.9 in) long. The flowers are white, with
five petals and numerous stamens. The fruits are many- seeded berries.
 Distribution and habitat:- Guavas originated from an area thought to extend
from Mexico or Central America and were distributed throughout tropical America and
Caribbean region. But now, Guavas are now cultivated in many tropical
and subtropical countries. Several species are grown commercially apple guava and its
cultivators are those most commonly traded internationally.
 Importance:- The entire fruit is a key ingredient in punch, and the juice is often used in
culinary sauces (hot or cold), as well as artisan candies, dried snacks, fruit bars,
desserts, or dipped in chamoy. Pulgue de guava is a popular blend of the native
alcoholic beverage. Moreover, Guava seed oil is also prepared from Guava which is very
much nutritionally helpful.
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Leaves of bael plant
 Bael
 Introduction:- Aegle marmelos, commonly known as Bael. is a species of tree native
to India, Nepal, the Andaman and Nicobar and Myanmar. It is present in Sri
Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia as a naturalized species. The tree is considered to be
sacred by Hindus. Its fruits are used in traditional medicine.
 Distribution and habitat:- Bael is a native of India, Nepal, the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands and Myanmar. It is cultivated in Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia. It is widely
found in Indian Siva temples. It occurs in dry, open forests on hills and plains at
altitudes from sea level to around 1200m with mean annual rainfall of 570-2,000
mm.
 Uses:- Aegeline is a known constituent of the bael leaf is very essential in the
composition for the medicine of acute nonviral hepatitis and also for heart attacks,
seizures, psychiatric disorders. Besides medicinal use, the plant and its leaves and
fruit are of religious importance such as, in Hinduism, the leaves of the plant are
being offered to Gods as part of prayers. The tree is in fact regarded as one of the
sacred trees of Indian heritage. In the case of religion( for Hinduism and Buddhism)
there are also several uses.
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Mango leaves
 Mango
 Introduction:- Mangifera indica or mangoes are juicy stone fruit from numerous
species of tropical trees belonging to the flowering plant genus Mangifera, cultivated
mostly for their edible fruit. Mango trees grow to 35–40 m (115–131 ft) tall, with a
crown radius of 10 m (33 ft). The leaves are evergreen, alternate, simple, 15–35 cm
(5.9–13.8 in) long, and 6–16 cm (2.4–6.3 in) broad. The fruit takes three to six
months to ripen.
 Distribution and habitat:- Mangoes are native to South Asia, it is the national fruit
of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines, and the national tree of Bangladesh. Mangoes
have been cultivated in South Asia for thousands of years and reached Southeast
Asia between the fifth and fourth centuries BCE. By the 10th century CE, cultivation
had begun in East Africa. Cultivation came later to Brazil, Bermuda, the West Indies,
and Mexico, where an appropriate climate allows its growth.
 Uses:- Dried mango skin and its seeds are used in Ayurvedic medicines. Mango peel
pigments under study include carotenoids, such as the provitamin A compound,
beta-carotene, lutein and alpha-carotene. The energy value per 100 g (3.5 oz) serving
of the common mango is 250 kJ (60 kcal). So, it is very much important for the
human beings to consume this food.
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Deodar leaves
 Deodar
 Introduction:- Cedrus deodara or Deodar is a species of cedar native to the western
Himalayas in eastern Afghanistan, northern Pakistan and India south westernmost Tibet
and western Nepal, occurring at 1,500–3,200 m (4,921–10,499 ft) altitude. It is a large
evergreen coniferous tree reaching 40–50 m (131–164 ft) tall, exceptionally 60 m (197
ft) with a trunk up to 3 m (10 ft) in diameter. It has a conic crown with level branches
and drooping branchlets.
 Distribution and habitat:- Though deodar is the national tree of Pakistan , but It is
widely grown as an ornamental tree, often planted in parks and large gardens for its
drooping foliage. General cultivation is limited to areas with mild winters, with trees
frequently killed by temperatures below about −25 °C (−13 °F), limiting it to USDA zone
7 and warmer for reliable growth. It can succeed in rather cool-summer climates, as in
Stateline, Nevada, and Ushuaia, Argentina.
 Uses:- It is widely used as Construction material and it is also used in making
furnitures. As insects avoid this tree, the essential oil is used as insect repellent on the
feet of horses, cattle and camels. It also has antifungal properties and has some
potential for control of fungal deterioration of spices during storage. Cedar oil is often
used in cover soap perfumes, household sprays, floor polishes and is also used in as a
clearing oil etc.
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Leaves of Orange Jasmine
 Orange Jasmine
 Introduction:- Murraya paniculata or Orange jasmine is closely related to Citrus, and
bears small orange to red fruit resembling kumquats, though some cultivars do not set
fruit. Orange Jasmine is a small, tropical, evergreen tree or shrub growing up to 7 m tall.
The plant flowers throughout the year. Its leaves are glorious and glossy, occurring in 3-
7 oddly pinnate leaflets which are elliptic to cuneate-obovate to rhombic. Flowers are
terminal, corymbose, few-flowered, dense and fragrant. Petals are 12–18 mm long,
recurved and white (or fading cream). The fruit of Murraya paniculata is fleshy, oblong-
ovoid, coloured red to orange, and grows up to 1 inch in length.
 Distribution and habitat:- Murraya paniculata is native to southern China, Taiwan, the
Indian sub-continent , south-eastern Asia (i.e. Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand,
Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines and northern Australia (i.e. the
northern parts of the Northern Territory, far northern Queensland and northern
Western Australia).
 Uses:- The crude ethanolic extract of leaves of Murraya paniculata has ant diarrhoeal,
antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Yuehchukene, a dimeric indole
alkaloid, can be extracted from the root. It is also the preferred host to the insect pest
Diaphorina citri, the citrus psyllid. This psyllid is the vector for the citrus greening
disease.
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Basil leaves
 Basil
 Introduction :-Ocimum basilicum or Basil is a culinary herb. It is also called the "king of
herbs" and the "royal herb". There are many varieties of Ocimum basilicum, as well as several
related species or species hybrids also called basil. Basil grows between 30–130 cm (12–51
in) tall, with opposite, light green, silky leaves 3–11 cm (1.2–4.3 in) long and 1–6 cm (0.39–
2.36 in) broad. The flowers are small, white in colour and arranged in a terminal spike. Basil is
sensitive to cold, with best growth in hot, dry conditions. It behaves as an annual if there is
any chance of a frost.
 Distribution and habitat:- Basil is possibly native to India, and has been cultivated there
for more than 5,000 years. It was thoroughly familiar to the Greek authors Theophrastus and
Dioscorides. It is also available in Italy, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia,
Laos, and Taiwan , Greece, Northern Europe, Canada, the northern states of the U.S., and the
South Island of New Zealand .
 Uses:- Most commercially available basils are cultivars of sweet basil. There are over 160
named cultivars available, with new ones appearing every year. Basil is most commonly used
fresh in recipes. In general, it is added at the last moment, as cooking quickly destroys the
flavour. Basil is one of the main ingredients in pesto—a green Italian oil-and-herb sauce. It is
also used in Ayurveda or traditional Chinese medicine, basil is thought to have therapeutic
properties. It has various religious aspects in Hinduism, Christianity and many other religions.

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Leaves of Madagascar periwinkle
 Madagascar Periwinkle
 Introduction :-Catharanthus roseus, which is commonly known as the Madagascar
periwinkle is a species of flowering plant. It is an evergreen sub shrub or herbaceous
plant growing 1 m tall. The leaves are oval to oblong, 2.5–9 cm long and 1–3.5 cm
broad, glossy green, hairless, with a pale midrib and a short petiole 1–1.8 cm long; they
are arranged in opposite pairs. The flowers are white to dark pink with a darker red
centre, with a basal tube 2.5–3 cm long and a corolla 2–5 cm diameter with five petal-
like lobes. The fruit is a pair of follicles 2–4 cm long and 3 mm broad.
 Distribution and habitat:- It is native and endemic to Madagascar, but it is also
however widely cultivated and is naturalised in subtropical and tropical areas of the
world. It is very much widely cultivated in Australia.
 Uses:- The species has long been cultivated for herbal medicine and as an ornamental
plant. In Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine) the extracts of its roots and shoots,
though poisonous, are used against several diseases. In traditional Chinese medicine,
extracts from it have been used against numerous diseases, including diabetes, malaria,
and Hodgkin's lymphoma. C. roseus can be extremely toxic if consumed orally by
humans. The newer semi-synthetic chemotherapeutic agent vinorelbine which is a
agent of Madagascar Periwinkle, used in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.
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China rose
Leaves of China Rose
 China Rose
 Introduction:- Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, known colloquially as China rose is a species
of tropical hibiscus, a flowering plant native to East Asia. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is a
bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree growing 2.5–5 m (8–16 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m
(5–10 ft) wide, with glossy leaves and solitary, brilliant red flowers in summer and
autumn. The 5-petaled flowers are 10 cm (4 in) in diameter, with prominent
orange-tipped red anthers.
 Distribution and habitat:- It is widely grown as an ornamental plant throughout
the tropics and subtropics. As it does not tolerate temperatures below 10 °C (50
°F), in temperate regions it is best grown under glass. However, plants in
containers may be placed outside during the summer months or moved into
shelter during the winter months. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is the national flower of
Malaysia.
 Uses:- The flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis are edible and are used in salads in the
Pacific Islands. The flower is additionally used in hair care as a preparation. . It can
also be used as a pH indicator, When used, the flower turns acidic solutions to a
dark pink or magenta colour and basic solutions to green. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is
considered to have a number of medical uses in Chinese herbology.
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 Conclusion
From this project, I have concluded everything about what a project
originally means and what are the purpose for doing a project. A
Herbarium is prepared to show some specified plant specimens in
future. But all of us didn’t know what is some other uses of Herbarium.
Besides that, after doing this project, now I am able to know about the
classifications, distributions, habitat, uses of the plants of which I have
prepared my Herbarium sheet. I will be very much happy, if our
teacher would assign us such project in future also.

37
 Bibliography
 Wikipedia- The free encyclopedia.
 www.shutterstockimages.com
 Calcutta University, Botany department.
 www.alamy.com
 www.dreamtimes.com
 www.itslife.com
 Encyclopedia of Life. Com

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