What is an herbarium
(Edited)
In natural areas and in those transformed for food production, that is, agricultural systems, it is important to know the plant biodiversity that is established, in this way, from an agricultural point of view, some species can be identified and classified and thus know if they are beneficial species for the system or, on the contrary, it is necessary to control them because they compete with agricultural production, as is the case with some plants that are considered weeds. To make an inventory of these plants, if it is possible to call it that, a well-known methodology is used that consists of the elaboration of a herbarium, which, according to the definition of some specialists, is a bank or archive of data and information related to plant species that allows studying the plant biodiversity of the ecosystem in the different geographical areas.
In a simpler sense, the herbarium is a collection of pressed, non-living species, usually arranged according to a classification system. Likewise, the herbarium is considered to serve as a reference center for stored data, which includes various collections of plants such as flowers, ferns, algae, among others. To start a herbarium work, a herbization process must be followed that consists of touring a natural space and collecting samples of herbs and plants that will be dried to constitute a collection of plant specimens capable of being preserved for many times, this work includes field and laboratory stages, which culminate with the inclusion of the material to the archive that any institution carries.
As mentioned above there is a field stage, which consists of the tour of the natural spaces for the collection of plant species, to carry out the collection of the species the appropriate tools are needed for the collection and the prey of the species, among the tools that can be used are the following: Wooden press, sheets of newspaper, scissors or any object that serves to cut, cardboard sheets, notepad, pencil, meccates, photographic cameras among others.
The sample collected must be representative, to obtain sufficient information about the morphological variation of the species, so it is recommended to take several additional samples for each specimen. The plants to be collected must have vegetative parts such as leaves, stems, root and in addition to flowers and / or fruits since they are the basis of the most widely used classifications. These botanical samples are placed inside a sheet of newspaper folded in half, taking care to write down the corresponding number of the collection in the margin of it. The size of the sample will be in accordance with that of the newsprint and the press, in order to guarantee a good drying and optimal presentation. However, sometimes it will be necessary to fold the sample or section very bulky fruits.
Another important element to consider is the collection of data that must be done at the time of collection, among the data of interest are address or locality taking as reference sites of easy location, habitat in which the characteristic plant of the vegetation lives, soils common names and use of the plants collected, biological characteristics such as shape if they are erect, climbing, epiphytic among others, also if they are tree, shrub or grass type, and other noticeable characteristics of flowers, fruits, bark and seeds. In addition to the number of samples and the date of collection.
| Final considerations |
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Dear readers, finally it is important to mention that a wooden press of 30 x 40 cm is used for the pressing of the sample. Approximately, the collected sample is placed between two cartons and then the press is tied with the mecates, exerting a firm and uniform pressure, to ensure a good drying and retention of the colors of the plant for a longer time.
As for the laboratory stage, drying can be done naturally directly in the sun or artificially using a stove, for the preservation of the sample naphthalene can be used sprayed and sprinkled on the sample to avoid the attack of phytopathogens, to identify the sample can be used monographic reviews, reviews of regional herbaria or help of specialists of the botanical area.
Thanks for reading our article, until a next opportunity.
| Bibliographic references |
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Machado, R., Seguí, E. and Alonso, O. (1997). Methodology for the evaluation of herbaceous species. Matanzas, Cuba. Publications from the Hautey Indian Pasture and Forage Experimental Station.
Flores, A. And Márquez, A. (2017). Floristic composition and characterization of Arvenses in the production unit la glorieta, (degree project) National Experimental University South of the Lake Jesús María Semprum UNESUR. VENEZUELA.
Amesty, J. (2015). To determine the botanical composition and the main forage and non-forage species present in the pastoral areas from the Samaria estate. promotion job, University national experimental south of Lake Jesús María Semprum UNESUR, Venezuela.
Sources
- Photography and Images: The cover photograph is in the public domain taken from Commons.wikimedia the rest of the photographs and images are the property of the author @amestyj
- Agrotecnia banner: made by the author @amestyj with own images
- Hive Banner: Designed by the author @amestyj with image owned by hive.
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