What You Will Learn
- Observe a plant and identify simple features: leaves, stem, flower, fruit.
- Create a clean and documented herbarium.
- Follow a rigorous method: observe, collect, dry, identify, and organize.
Key point: a herbarium is not a random collection.
Each sample must be accompanied by precise information to maintain real scientific value.
Collecting Without Harming Nature
What You Can Do
- Choose common and easily found plants.
- Take only a small part of the plant.
- Prefer a fragment that is already broken or fallen, when possible.
The goal is to observe and preserve without damaging the natural environment.
What to Avoid
- Collecting rare, protected species or from forbidden areas.
- Taking too many plants from the same spot.
- Handling an unknown plant if it might be irritating.
If in doubt, it’s better to observe, photograph, and not touch.
Precaution: wash your hands after collecting and never put a plant in your mouth.
Materials
Essential
- Absorbent paper or newspaper
- Two stiff cardboard sheets
- A heavy book or stack of books to press
- A4 sheets or a notebook
- Thin adhesive tape or glue
Very Useful
- A phone to take a photo before collecting
- Scissors
- A small paper bag
- A pencil or pen
- A ruler
A paper bag is preferable to plastic as it limits condensation.
Method
1. Observe the plant before collecting it: leaf shape, size, presence of flowers or fruits.
2. Take a photo of the plant in its natural environment.
3. Collect a small useful sample: a stem, a few leaves, and if possible a flower or fruit.
4. Spread out the sample properly so its shapes remain visible.
5. Place the plant between absorbent sheets, between two cardboards, then under books.
6. Let it dry for one to two weeks, changing the paper if necessary.
7. Then attach the dried sample on a sheet or herbarium board.
8. Add a complete label with essential information.
How do you know if the plant is fully dry?
- It becomes rigid and light.
- It no longer feels damp to the touch.
- It does not give off a musty smell.
Information to Record
Each herbarium sheet must be accompanied by a clear label. This label allows you to trace the origin and interest of the sample.
| Information | Example |
|---|---|
| Sample number | HB-001 |
| Common name | Dandelion |
| Scientific name | Taraxacum officinale |
| Date | 12/15/2025 |
| Location | Park, lawn edge |
| Environment | Moist lawn, partial shade |
| Parts collected | Stem, leaves, flower |
| Description | Toothed leaves, hollow stem |
| Photo taken | Yes |
| Remarks | Very common plant |
The more precise your information, the more useful and interesting your herbarium will be to review later.
Organizing Your Herbarium
Simple Classification
- Assign a number to each sample
- Create a sheet per species or plant type
- Make an index page with numbers, names, locations, and dates
Numbering the sheets helps quickly find each sample.
Preserving Over Time
- Write legibly and durably
- Protect sheets in a binder or plastic sleeves
- Store the herbarium in a dry place
Slight fading over time is not a problem if the label remains readable.
Analysis Questions
1. Why is taking a photo of the plant in its environment useful?
2. What information is essential on an herbarium sheet?
3. What mistake can damage an herbarium sheet?
4. How can you collect without heavily impacting nature?
Hints to help you
- The photo keeps a record of the living environment and the whole plant.
- The label is essential: date, location, and description are key.
- Poor drying can cause mold or darkening of the plant.
- Take only small amounts, choose common species, and avoid protected zones.
Conclusion
What This Activity Shows
Making a herbarium requires method: you must observe, carefully collect, dry properly, and keep precise information for each sample.
Key Takeaway
A herbarium is both a collection and a scientific observation tool. It allows you to preserve plants and keep a record of their environment, form, and collection date.
Remember: a good herbarium is not just beautiful. It is also precise, organized, and documented.