Herbaria
singular = herbarium
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As of 2022, there are over 3,500 active herbaria across 183 countires. Holding approximately 397 million specimens!
What is a Herbarium?
A herbarium is an organized archive of preserved plant specimens. These
specimens, often dried and pressed, are meticulously documented with
details like species name, collection location, date, and collector.
Beyond pressed plants, herbariums may also house specimens in liquids,
on slides, or even include DNA data for in-depth study.
Herbaria are important for a number of reasons, including:
- Allowing scientists to identify unknown plants and fungi, or even discover entire species new to science.
- Preserving a historical record of plant and fungal populations. This helps track changes in distribution and abundance over time.
- Learn how plants and fungi respond to environmental disturbances. This knowledge helps predict future impacts of climate change and habitat loss, informing conservation efforts.
- While not the primary focus, these collections can provide inspiration to artists.
In essence, herbaria are vital for scientific research, conservation efforts, and even artistic inspiration.
More Information:
🏶 Find a herbarium near you with
Index Herbariorium
🏶 Volunteer remotely for vairous
herbaria at
DigiVol