Herbarium Preparation

Group 3

Lampos. Rom. Dasoy. Yumang. Morada. Tapong Bachelor of Science Education

© 2015 with Specialization in Biology
 HERBARIUM
• An Herbarium is a collection of plant specimens which have
been dried and pressed, arranged in a sequence based on an
accepted type of classification, and made available for use in
research and other scientific studies.

•An Herbarium is not merely a depository place for plants nor

data storehouse, but also an educational research institute of
earth’s vegetation.
 Herbarium Preparation
Equipments Needed:
1. Plant Press- consists of two flat frames of wood or bamboo
measuring 14” x 20”. Each frame is made up of 4 wooden strips
measuring ¾ ” wide and ¼” thick and another 3 strips ¾ ” wide
and ¼” long. The 3 short strips are equidistantly spaced and
nailed to the equally spaced long strips arranged in a lattice.
2. Nylon cord or abaca twine
3. Old Newspapers
4. Specimen tags
5. Collecting tools such as shears, bolo, shovel, and tongs, and
dissecting needles.
6. Denatured alcohol, dissecting set
 Actual Field Collection

1. Select and collect healthy plants. If possible, all plant organs

must be included, especially for herbs. Exceptions are trees, of
which only a branch is needed, as long as it is complete with
plant organs and if possible, with flowers and fruits.
2. Pressing specimens in the field: First, immerse the plants
collected in a basin containing denatured alcohol to prevent
the leaves and other organs from falling off. Then, put the
specimens in a plastic bags temporarily. Fold the other end of
the plastic and seal to prevent the dripping of alcohol. This is
called the wet method of packing.
Wet Method
 Laboratory Work

1. Final Pressing of Specimens

Pressed specimens are opened to change
the newspapers and dries and to improve
the arrangement of the plant. Pressed
plants must fit the fold of the newspapers
and that of the plants press. If plants are
too large, they may be bent into letter, V,
N, M, or W figures.
Final Pressing of Specimens
2. Drying
Rapid drying is one of the secrets of retaining the green color
of plants. Moisture from the plant, therefore, must evaporate
in the shortest possible time. There are two methods of
drying.
A. Natural Drying- drying under the sun or in the lab under room
temperature, which may take a few days, a week, or even
more. Driers or newspapers are changed if still wet.
B. Artificial Drying- drying with the use of electric burner or electric
bulbs. A wooden framework is prepared so that the plant
presses are in an upright position. Newspapers and moist
driers are also changed to prevent mold and fungal attacks.
Detached portions are placed in pockets of bond or manila paper.
Also try to avoid using high temperatures to prevent cooking of
Succulent specimens and making them brittle, black, or crisp.
 Protection Against Herbarium Pests

This is done through:

A. Poisoning- specimens should be dipped in a poisoning solution

made of 1 liter denatured alcohol, 12-15 g of mercuric chloride,
and 10-12 cc of carbonic acid (phenol) mixed thoroughly. The
dried specimens are placed back in the newspaper folds.

B. Deep Freezing- specimens are routinely subjected to freezing

temperature for 3-4 consecutive days to kill insect eggs and
larvae.

C. Fumigation- specimens and fumigants are placed in sealed

chambers for several hours.
d. Microwaving- used for small quantities of specimens.
Drying is accomplished by irradiating at maximum power 1-2
minutes per specimen.

e. Mounting the specimen on the herbarium sheets- Properly-

mounted herbarium specimens must last for long periods. It is,
therefore, important to select the best quality materials and to
use good judgment in mounting. The four common methods of
mounting are as follows:

1. Adhesives- starch paste, Elmer’s glue, and other kinds of colorless glue
2. Tapes- used for strapping the specimens to the sheets
3. Thread- used to attach the specimen to the mounting sheet in whole
or in part
4. A combination of the three methods mentioned above.
 Mounting on the Herbarium Sheet

It is necessary to select the best quality materials and to use

good judgment when mounting. Mounting refers to the affixing
of dried specimens on standard mounting sheets, which are
preferably 11.5” x 16.5” white boards of sufficient thickness.
Specimens are mounted in an upright position. One has to
choose the best side to display as many features as possible.
This activity demands good artistic judgment.
 Preparation of Herbarium Labels

Herbarium labels may be handwritten, typewritten, or printed by a

commercial. These days, labels are commonly made using the
computer printers. Labeling and accessioning :

1. Labeling- The properly prepared label is glued to the mounting

sheets. It is placed in the upper right hand corner. A smaller
herbarium label is affixed on the lower right hand corner of the
mounting sheets. Make sure that the labels are attached to right
specimens.
2. Accessioning- A record of all the botanical specimens using an
accession book is necessary. The record indicates the herbarium
number, scientific name, common or local name, date of
collection, name of collector, and locality.
Herbarium Preparation
Presented by: Group 3
Lampos, Adrian
Rom, Beverly
Morada, Johncy
Tapong, Jasmine
Dasoy, Andrea
Yumang, Joana Marie

Presented to:
Prof. Leah Cortez

Thank you!!