When we study Taxonomy, we obviously discuss about a special taxonomical aids, Herbarium in Biology. Collection of actual specimens is essential & the prime source of taxonomic studies. In case of large plant it is a difficult task to collect and preserve of whole living plant body. Here Herbarium is a taxonomical tool where plant’s part are preserved easily.
Herbarium in Biology
Herbarium is a store house of collected plant specimens in dry conditions, pressed and preserved on sheets which serve as quick referral systems in taxonomical studies.
The collected plant should have all the necessary parts such as roots, leaves, flowers and fruits. Specimen should be collected from different habitat, in different seasons and different stages of growth.
Herbarium Sheet
Immediately after collection, plants are pressed in between the sheets of blotting paper. Complete specimen with all parts are dried and pressed. After the specimen have been dried completely, they are pasted on a sheet of standard size (as per NCERT) 42 cm × 29 cm (16.5″ × 11.5″) which is called as Herbarium sheet.
Lebel of Herbarium Sheet
It is necessary to label each herbarium sheet which providing information about —
- date and place of collection
- collector name
- English, local and botanical name of specimen
- Family and genus name of specimen in case of already identified species.
* Morphological character like “height of plant” are not provided in herbarium sheet.
Herbarium Sheet Storage
The sheets are arranged according to a universally accepted system of classification. These are stored preferably in metallic boards.
All the pasted specimens are sprayed with fungicides like 0.1% solution of mercuric chloride in alcohol to check the growth of fungus. The area is disinfected to control insects and other pests.
Example of Herbarium
Herbarium are generally set up in a botanical institute. Some important herbaria of the world is —
- U.S. National Herbarium, Washington.
- British Museum of National History, London.
- Komarov Botanical Institute, St. Peterburg
Some important herbaria in India :
- Central National Herbarium of the Indian Botanical Garden, Kolkata.
- Herbarium of the Forest Research Institute, Deharadun
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