Learning Objectives
- Youth will explore plant taxonomy and phylogeny. They will create their own herbarium.
Background:
An herbarium — a collection of dried, pressed and documented plant specimens — is an important research tool that can contribute to work in botany, biology, ecology, environmental studies, conservation, and other fields. An herbarium is like a library but instead of books there is a collection of plant specimens that have been collected over broad geographic ranges and over many years. Multiple samples of individual species collected from different habitats are typically preserved so that variation among individuals can be documented, and related to ecological factors or evolutionary factors. Herbarium and museum collections comprise the basic materials for obtaining information about the world’s biodiversity. Herbarium specimens also provide materials for research on plant genetics(DNA).
Clemson University Herbarium
Materials and Resources
- Several old newspapers
- Cardboard
- Two straps that can be secured: belts, canvas straps, light bungee cords, rope, twine etc
- Collecting bags (grocery bags, reusable bags, gallon plastic bag etc)
- Paper towels
- Optional; weighted objects (large books, bricks, large rocks etc)
- Plant identification apps and websites:
Seek by i-naturalist app
Plant Snap Identification App
Name that Plant website - Opening Activity: ~15 minutes
- Introduction to taxonomy; Role models discuss how the different plants are grouped by physical, functional, and genetic characteristics.
Content Lesson and Activities: ~60 minutes
1. Plant Collection:
Collect the plant parts to generate a herbarium. Identify each plant and list out Family, Genus and Species. At a minimum each label must include the scientific (Latin) name for the plant, the location at which the plant was collected, the date of collection and the collector’s name.
a. Have youth collect leaves and flowers from outside.
b. Bring everything inside and identify using the scientific names for each plant.
c. Press and dry the leaves and flower specimen.
2. Directions to assemble press:
a. Fold individual sheets of newspaper along the normal folding creases. These folded sheets will become your blotters.
b. Cut the cardboard to fit your folded newspaper blotters. This will save you the time and trouble of cutting every piece of newspaper to size.
c. Assemble your press by placing three single sheets of folded newspaper on top of one piece of cardboard, and then continue by layering another piece of cardboard, three more individual sheets of folded newspaper, and another piece of cardboard. Repeat this process until you’ve reached your desired stack. You can also add a paper towel between the leaf/flower specimen and newspaper if the specimen is really thick.
d. Next, sandwich your stack between two pieces of cardboard or wood that measure about the same size or ½ inch larger than the cardboard. You can put your name on the outside of your cardboard.
e. Secure two straps around the width of the stack to hold it all together. Old belts work perfectly; just keep in mind that the press doesn’t need too much pressure to work well. (large books or bricks on top work well too)
f. Leaves/flowers specimens should stay pressed for at least 3 days.
- Closing Activity: ~15 minutes
- What are some other uses for an herbarium? Why would it be important to have an actual sample rather than keep a digital database?