HERBARIA AND
SPECIMENS:
WHAT ARE THEY?
WHAT ARE THEY?
By Diana Horton
A herbarium (herbaria, plural) is a repository, a facility
designed to ensure long-term preservation of scientific plant samples,
generally referred to as specimens. The most meaningful analogy is to a
library; herbaria are plant libraries, with the specimens corresponding to the
pages in books. Most herbaria are under the aegis of an academic institution,
museum or botanical garden. The Most herbaria are housed in a room full of specially designed steel cases (herbarium cabinets), which are visible in the accompanying photograph of the
Herbarium specimens are plants that have been collected and preserved for scientific
analysis
2) Dried
Plants
1) Pressed and Dried Plants
Most vascular plant (flowering
plants, conifers, ferns and fern allies) specimens are pressed and dried plants
that are mounted on stiff
sheets of paper. A simple device, a plant press, is utilized to prepare
specimens. It is comprised of two, 12" x 18" lattices of ¾" wide
x ¼" deep strips of wood (6 across and 5 lengthwise) between which are
sheets of corrugated cardboard (‘ventilators’), felt blotters and folded sheets
of unprinted newsprint. Plants are laid out within the folded newsprint, with
blotters and ventilators above and below. Numerous plants can be pressed at one
time by stacking the newsprint/blotter/ventilator units. The wooden lattices
are placed on the top and bottom of the stack, and two nylon or canvas web
straps are used to bind the press together and apply pressure to squeeze water
out of the plants. Plants are left in the press until they are thoroughly dry
as a result of air drying or use of a plant dryer (a metal cabinet with
openwork shelves spaced to accommodate plant presses, and a simple electrical
heating device and a fan in the bottom).Various techniques are
employed to attach the dry, and therefore fragile, plants
to the mounting sheets. The
most common method is to use an archival
adhesive similar to white glue and, if necessary, heavier portions of the
plant are supported additionally by linen
thread, or narrow strips of gum-backed
linen tape or polyester film (e.g., Mylar). If there are loose seeds or
fruits, these are placed in a small fragment
packet, which also is glued to the sheet. A label,
which generally includes the Latin name of the plant, the locality where it was
collected, information on habitat, name of the collector and date 
Usually, the sheet is stamped or embossed with the name
of the herbarium 
The only plants that are not
pressed are the small bryophytes (mosses,
hepatics or liverworts, and hornworts) which are dried and placed loose in folded
packets. The label with the collection information is glued on the front
of the packet and the packets are filed loose in boxes the shape of (or
often in reality!) shoe boxes; glued to sheets of mounting paper; or placed
loose in manilla folders.
Traditionally, small aquatic
plants, for example, duckweed, have been preserved in formalin in jars, or
floated onto sheets of paper by the collector, then pressed and dried, and mounted
on sheets as with other vascular plants. More recently, a solution of
alcohol-glycerine has replaced formalin, because the latter is a carcinogen,
and archival jars are utilized. These plants also may be dried and placed loose
in ‘moss’ packets, which can be glued on mounting sheets.
4) Plants Preserved In Rocks
The rock in which a fossil
plant is preserved is numbered and a record of the collection information
for each number is
stored separately.
The
WHY PRESERVE PLANT SPECIMENS?
Herbarium specimens are a
vital resource because they store a wealth of information. They are utilized by
faculty, staff and students in universities, colleges and other research
institutions; by personnel from government agencies and conservation
organizations; and the general public.
Specimens are utilized for:
• TAXONOMIC RESEARCH, including preparation of monographs and revisions, and floras, manuals that provide species descriptions, aid in identification, and document occurrence. Specialists utilize collections to document the range of variation that characterizes individual species, so that species can be accurately circumscribed in descriptions. For example, the collections are routinely consulted by taxonomists preparing treatments for the multi-volume Flora of North America.
• CURRENT AND HISTORICAL DISTRIBUTIONAL DATA. Specimens provide the earliest documentation of the natural vegetation ofIowa University of Northern Iowa
• RARE PLANT LISTS. Specimens have been the primary source of data for the Iowa Administrative Code lists of Endangered and Threatened Plant Species published in 1977, 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1994.
• IDENTIFICATION OF 'UNKNOWN' PLANTS, including macrofossils and anthropological remains, by making comparisons with identified specimens. Collections are routinely consulted because many species cannot be confidently identified on the basis of comparison with a line-drawing or photograph.
• GENERATING A 'SEARCH IMAGE'. Even though specimens are altered because they have been pressed and dried, they are useful for getting a mental image of the general size and appearance of a plant that one never has seen, but wishes to find. This is useful for finding new records of rare species.
• LOCALITY AND ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION. The locality data recorded on specimen labels is a resource for those who wish to see a particular species in its natural habitat, or for those who would like to see an example of a particular type of habitat. Ecological information on specimen labels is useful for getting an idea of the type of habitat to search for a particular species.
• GENETIC DATA. DNA can be extracted from herbarium specimens and utilized for genetic analyses.
• VOUCHER SPECIMENS. Some specimens are deposited specifically for the purpose of documenting research. 'Type' specimens, the original specimen(s) that are the basis for descriptions of new species, are the permanent record of the entity that was described. No matter what the original description says, it is the identity of this specimen that determines what the name represents. Researchers whose studies are not specimen-based (for example, physiologists or geneticists) nevertheless utilize voucher specimens to document the subject of their investigations. If questions arise about the identity of the organism, the voucher can be examined to check the validity of the original identification.
• UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION. TheUniversity of Herbarium
Specimens are utilized for:
• TAXONOMIC RESEARCH, including preparation of monographs and revisions, and floras, manuals that provide species descriptions, aid in identification, and document occurrence. Specialists utilize collections to document the range of variation that characterizes individual species, so that species can be accurately circumscribed in descriptions. For example, the collections are routinely consulted by taxonomists preparing treatments for the multi-volume Flora of North America.
• CURRENT AND HISTORICAL DISTRIBUTIONAL DATA. Specimens provide the earliest documentation of the natural vegetation of
• RARE PLANT LISTS. Specimens have been the primary source of data for the Iowa Administrative Code lists of Endangered and Threatened Plant Species published in 1977, 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1994.
• IDENTIFICATION OF 'UNKNOWN' PLANTS, including macrofossils and anthropological remains, by making comparisons with identified specimens. Collections are routinely consulted because many species cannot be confidently identified on the basis of comparison with a line-drawing or photograph.
• GENERATING A 'SEARCH IMAGE'. Even though specimens are altered because they have been pressed and dried, they are useful for getting a mental image of the general size and appearance of a plant that one never has seen, but wishes to find. This is useful for finding new records of rare species.
• LOCALITY AND ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION. The locality data recorded on specimen labels is a resource for those who wish to see a particular species in its natural habitat, or for those who would like to see an example of a particular type of habitat. Ecological information on specimen labels is useful for getting an idea of the type of habitat to search for a particular species.
• GENETIC DATA. DNA can be extracted from herbarium specimens and utilized for genetic analyses.
• VOUCHER SPECIMENS. Some specimens are deposited specifically for the purpose of documenting research. 'Type' specimens, the original specimen(s) that are the basis for descriptions of new species, are the permanent record of the entity that was described. No matter what the original description says, it is the identity of this specimen that determines what the name represents. Researchers whose studies are not specimen-based (for example, physiologists or geneticists) nevertheless utilize voucher specimens to document the subject of their investigations. If questions arise about the identity of the organism, the voucher can be examined to check the validity of the original identification.
• UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION. The
SPECIMEN LABEL INFORMATION
Specimen labels may include information on 1) location, 2) habitat, 3) collector and date of collection, and 4) identification. The first of these, location, is essential. Without locality data, a specimen is worthless!
1) Location
Collectors must provide
adequate, accurate information on locality if specimens are to have lasting
value. The following should be included:
country
state/province
county
specific information on how the locality can be reached (distance to nearest town, river crossing, highway intersection or other landmark, and number of the road/highway along which a locality is situated)
township, range, section, quarter-section
latitude and longitude
elevation
state/province
county
specific information on how the locality can be reached (distance to nearest town, river crossing, highway intersection or other landmark, and number of the road/highway along which a locality is situated)
township, range, section, quarter-section
latitude and longitude
elevation
The
above can be extracted from state/provincial road maps, county road maps,
odometer readings and topographic maps (the latter are available from
Geological Survey offices and in the libraries of most major universities, and
also commercially on CD-ROM).
2) Habitat
Information on habitat is
useful. This can include a general description of the type of habitat (e.g., forest,
rock outcrop, prairie, wetland, etc.); substrate type (e.g., calcareous,
siliceous rock), if pertinent; names of associated species; and specific notes
on the microhabitat in which the plant was collected (e.g., on exposed soil, on
trunk of Quercus macrocarpa 1.5 m from ground, etc.).
3) Collector and Date of Collection
The name of the collector and
collection number, if any, and the date of collection (do not
abbreviate; write out name of month and include the century) should be clearly
indicated. The names of persons who accompanied the collector may be included
in parentheses, but these should be put on a separate line below the
collector's name.
4) Identification
If the specimen has been
identified, the name of the species and the person who identified it (if other
than the collector) should be included. If the collection is a voucher for a
research report or publication, this should be noted (eg., Voucher for Survey
of Iowa Fen Bryoflora).
Label Format
The above information, in
hand printed (legible!) or typed form, should be given to the herbarium where
the specimen(s) will be deposited. These days, it is relatively easy to use a
word processing program to set up a simple template that can be used to
generate six, standard size (ca. 4" x 3") labels on an 8 ½" x
11" sheet of paper (two columns of three). If a number of labels from a
single locality are needed, mail merge programs can be used, and commercial
programs also are readily available. Label files can be provided on disk, so that
the repository can run the labels on acid-free, pH-neutral paper, using a
printer of their choice. The University
of Iowa Herbarium
SPECIMEN LONGEVITY
Potentially, herbarium
specimens will last in perpetuity. The earliest
specimens in the University of Iowa
Herbarium
1) Archival Materials
At present, every effort is
made to utilize archival materials; for example, pH-neutral paper and glue.
However, the deleterious effect of acidic materials (paper becomes very fragile
and eventually crumbles) was not recognized until relatively recently, so
specimens from the first half of the 20th century usually are mounted on acidic
paper with various acidic glues, including "mucilage" (animal-based
glue with pH around 5), polyvinyl alcohol (pH 4.5-7),
and PVAC (polyvinyl acetate), which releases acetic acid (pers. comm., Julia
Golden, Curator, University of Iowa Paleontology Repository). In the middle of
the 20th century, the use of rubber cement (e.g. Ducco Cement) to
attach specimen labels created a different type of problem. Although clear when
applied, rubber cement turns brown with age (after approximately 15 years),
staining through the label and making it very difficult to decipher the
information. Rubber cement also degenerates with age, losing its adhesive
properties, so labels eventually peel off.
2) Specimen Restoration
If specimens have not been
properly mounted, for example, if a plant was not thoroughly fixed to the sheet
when it was originally mounted, or if portions have come loose over time, the
loose parts can be damaged readily because they are so fragile. Less common
problems include dusty mounting sheets and sheets that have deteriorated
because of acid degradation or mercuric chloride stains. Loose specimens and
dirty mounting sheets can be repaired relatively efficiently, while replacement
of mounting sheets is a more lengthy process. (See Specimen
Restoration: A Case Study.)
3) Insect Control
A perpetual threat to the
longevity of herbarium specimens is insects, a number of which find dried
plants palatable. Historically, various methods have been used to kill insects,
which either come in with the plants when they are collected (the insects
either aren’t killed by the drying process or such reproductive stages as eggs
survive), or are in the building where the plants are stored. The classic line
of defense against insect predation was moth balls (naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene),
which were placed in the storage cabinets with the specimens. Use of these has
been discontinued in many herbaria only relatively recently (1980s) since the
detrimental health effects were recognized. The moth ball odour is one that
many still would associate with herbaria. In the 1950s and early 60s, moth
balls were in use in the University of Iowa Herbarium, but as an additional
defense, many specimens were painted with an alcoholic solution of mercuric
chloride (at that time, people were unaware of the health hazard posed by
mercury). Such specimens bear a red stamp, ‘poisoned’, and are characterized by
a more-or-less evident gray
stain that forms a halo around the plant. Surface sample analyses of
mounting paper from ‘poisoned’ specimens indicate residual mercury is present,
although the amounts are below current permissible limits, according to the University of Iowa Health Protection Office University of Iowa
Herbarium
SPECIMEN RESTORATION: A CASE STUDY
by Jennifer A. Bell and Diana Horton
Introduction
In 1997, Jennifer Bell, then
Assistant Curator of the University
of Iowa Herbarium Walker and Hughes’ (1994) report of
a cooperative project between curators of the Royale Herbarium at the National
Museums and Galleries at Merseyside, Liverpool , Great Britain and staff of the Paper
Conservation Section of the Institute
of Paper Conservation Iowa City ,
and the focus was specimens of state listed species (i.e., those included on
the 1994 list of Endangered and Threatened Species (Iowa Administrative Code
1994) collected by Thomas H. Macbride and Bohumil Shimek, both of whom were
among the earliest collectors in Iowa
As noted above (see Specimen
Longevity), various factors can reduce the longevity of herbarium
specimens. The primary factors affecting some Macbride and Shimek specimens (many are in excellent
condition) are dirt on the mounting sheets, loosening of the attachment of
plants to the sheets, and deterioration of the sheets as a result of ‘poison’
stains from treatment with mercuric chloride, and/or acid degradation of the
paper (yellowing and, in extreme cases, crumbling).
Material and Methods
Dirty (dusty) mounting sheets
were dealt with most readily. They were dry cleaned with a Staedtler Mars
Plastic eraser. The eraser was fine-grated with a nutmeg grater, and a
small amount was placed on the soiled area and gently rubbed with a circular
motion using the palm of the hand. After the eraser granules picked up dirt,
they were removed with a fine brush, and this step was repeated until the dirty
areas were completely clean. If a plant had come loose from the sheet, that too
was relatively simple to deal with. A microspatula was used to reapply archival
white glue to the underside of loose areas, and linen thread and fine strips of
linen tape were used to attach bulkier and/or heavier structures. The most
difficult, and time-consuming, specimens were those that required removal from
the original mounting sheet and mounting on a new sheet.
The protocol for removal of
specimens from the original mounting sheet and remounting requires patience and
considerable skill, but it is interesting to see what can be done. Prior to
beginning the process of removal of the plant and documentation, the original
mounted specimen was photographed. To begin the removal process, the first
step was to remove all written documentation (original label and annotations)
with scissors or a mat knife (e.g., Exacto knife). Subsequently, removal of the
documentation from the mounting sheet was accomplished by wet removal, solvent
removal or mechanical means, depending on the type of adhesive (i.e., soluble
in water or alcohol) and whether the inks were soluble in water. The documents
were then placed between Hollytex (a light, spun, polyester fabric that
can be used to protect specimens and documents during drying because it won’t
adhere to them, cf. Walker and Hughes, 1994) and blotters, and placed
under two, 15 pound lead weights overnight to dry and flatten them.
In view of the fragility of
dried plant specimens, it was necessary to prepare the plant for removal from
the mounting sheet by humidifying it to make it somewhat pliable.
Humidification was carried out using a 16 x 20 Cesco-Lite photo
developing tray as a chamber. A 3/8" egg-crate white ceiling tile was set
in the tray and hot water was poured in to a level below the ceiling tile. The
mounted specimen was sandwiched between two lengths of Hollytex and this
unit was laid on the tile. To maintain high relative humidity, the tray was
covered with an acrylic sheet for 10 to 24 hours. The Hollytex helped
prevent the mounting sheet from wrinkling or puckering, and it also protected
the specimen from condensation that formed on the acrylic sheet.
After humidification, the
plant was removed carefully from the mounting sheet with a paper lifter (a thin
and flexible, smooth wooden spatula). Subsequently, the unmounted plant was
placed between two layers of Hollytex, two layers of blotters, and two
layers of ventilators (corrugated cardboard), and this unit was placed under
two, 15 pound lead weights for 24 hours to dry and flatten. The original
mounting sheet was dried and flattened in the same manner as the plant, and
subsequently saved to serve as a reference for positioning the specimen on the
new sheet.
The plant specimen and
documents were laid out on a new mounting sheet of 100%, all-new cotton fiber
with a neutral pH of 7.0-8.0 and buffered to resist external acid
contamination. To replicate as closely as possible the original position of the
plant and documents, the photograph of the original mount, and the original
mounting sheet, were used as references. Once the layout had been finalized,
the specimen was adhered with archival glue solution applied with a Chinese
calligraphy brush (#2). Documents, including labels and any inscriptions cut
from the original mounting sheet, were glued on the new mounting sheet in their
original positions. Any plant fragments, seeds or fruits were placed in new
acid-free fragment packets and also glued on the new sheet. Stamps, seals, and
the original accession number were applied in their original places.
Results and Discussion
For this project, 348
Macbride and Shimek specimens of species that currently are classified as
Endangered or Threatened in Iowa
Minor repairs (dirt removal,
and gluing and stitching loose plant parts) can be accomplished relatively quickly, taking
approximately forty-five minutes per specimen. Remounting is a much more
time-consuming process that takes 4 to 6 hours per specimen, and requires the
skills of a professional paper conservator; however, the results are impressive.
As is evident from the accompanying photographs, it would be difficult to
distinguish the new mount from the original, at the time the original was done.
There are approximately
25,000 Shimek (mainly) and Macbride specimens in the University of Iowa Herbarium
Literature Cited
Holmgren, P.K., N.H. Holmgren
& L.C. Barnett. 1990. Index Herbariorum. Part I: The herbaria of the world
(8th ed.). Regnum Vegetabile 120: 1-693.
Iowa
Walker, N. & D. Hughes.
1994. Conservation and the herbarium: the Royale Herbarium – a conservation
approach, pp. 35-41. In: R. E. Child (ed.), Conservation and the Herbarium. Institute of Paper
Conservation, Leigh, Worcestershire ,
Great Britain
Last
Updated: 03/15/2003
Making an Herbarium
There are several ways to save your herbarium collection. A "good specimen" has parts of the stem, leaves and flower (if available) taped to a labeled index card. Do further reading to see how to press/preserve your plant samples. Which one of these display techniques will best meet your needs?
Herbarium on a Ring - has all samples carefully mounted and labels filled out. Cards may be covered with clear contact paper to help preserve the specimens.
Herbarium in Bag (a plastic ziplock-type bag) - has all the carefully mounted and labeled plant samples stored in a bag.
Herbarium in a Folder - has plant specimens and labeled index cards organized by type of sample, i.e., grasses, forbs, shrubs, trees.
Sample Label:
Common Name
|
Scientific Name
|
Location
|
Growing Site (shade,
tree trunk, etc.)
|
Soil Type (silty, sandy,
gravelly, rocky, etc.)
|
Native or Non-native
Species
|
Resource Used
|
Name of Collector/Date
|
Course Calendar Description
A survey of economically important plants and their products. The history of
plant use, plants in folklore and medicine, fermentation and viticulture,
domestication of plants, and forestry are the major topics covered. Chemical,
structural and nutritional aspects of plant products are also discussed. Not to
be held with the former 1.206 or 1.233.This course satisfies the Written English requirement.
Click here for assignment guidelines.
Instructor
Dr. Norm Kenkel, office telephone: 474-6889
email: kenkel@cc.umanitoba.ca
office hours:
Lectures
Tuesdays and Thursdays, Slot 9,
Note: there is no laboratory for this course.
Textbook
There is no textbook for this course. Course notes can be purchased at the
Marking Scheme
Midterm Exam (October): 20%
Written Assignments†: 40%
Final Exam (December, TBA): 40%.
Late Assignments will be subject to a penalty of 1% of final course grade for each late day. Exceptions only for medical reasons. Students are reminded of the necessity to attend lectures and to complete all assignments. Failure to submit both written assignments will result in a grade of "F" (fail). Plagiarism, cheating or impersonation in the completion of assignments, and at examinations, are serious offences. Refer to the section "General Academic Regulations" starting on page 23 of the 1999-00
†Two written assignments (each 1500-2000 words in length) are required. Each written assignment is worth 20% of your final course grade. One written assignment is required in each of two general areas: (a) Food Plant; (b) Medicinal or Drug Plant. More information on these written assignments will be presented in class. You can also obtain information about the assignments on the essay web page.
Course Outline
- Domestication of Plants:
history of plant domestication; origin of the world’s crop plants; human
influences on plants and ecosystems.
- Plants in History and
Folklore: history of plant classification; plant folklore: herbals and
curatives; plants throughout history.
- Fruit Products:
definition and origins; economically important plants and plant families.
- Cereals: origins,
characteristics and uses; characteristics of the grass family (Poaceae);
major cereals of the world (wheat, rice, corn); other important cereal
crops.
- Legumes:
characteristics of the legume family (Fabaceae); some economically
important legumes.
- Vegetables:
definitions and origins; economically important plants and plant families.
- Herbs and Spices:
origins, history and uses; some major plants and plant families.
- Medicinal Plants:
history of plants in medicine; plant drugs: past, present and future;
origins and search for plant drugs; some important medical drug plants.
- Psychoactive Plants and
Fungi: properties of psychoactive drugs; history of use; opium,
marijuana, cocaine, tobacco, peyote, fungi.
- Stimulating Beverages:
history of plant beverages; coffee, tea, cocoa, maté.
- Alcoholic Beverages &
Viticulture: beer, wine and spirits; major grape varieties; wine
production and types; major wine producing regions.
- Plant Fibers:
definitions and properties; textiles: properties and sources.
- Forestry and Forest
Products: forests in
Specimen Mounted With Gum-backed Linen Tape
Yellow Pimpernel (Taenidia integerrima (L.) Drude)
©University Relations,
|
Label Glued on Front of Bryophyte Packet
©University Relations,
|
Moss Specimen
Aloina rigida (Hedw.) Limpr.
©University Relations,
|
Cycadeoids - the 'family portrait'
©University of
|
Restored Specimen; Staining On Original Sheet Is From Acidic
Mucilage Adhesive
Prairie Sagewort (Artemisia frigida Willd.)
©University Relations,
|
Restored Specimen; Note Mercuric Chloride 'Halo' On Original
Sheet
Hairy False Golden-aster (Heterotheca villosa (Pursh) Shinners)
©University Relations,
|
Restored Specimen; Note Accurate Reproduction Of Original
©University Relations,
|
Cycadeoid Collected In Black Hills, South Dakota, ca. 1893
Courtesy of University of Iowa Libraries, Special Collections. |
Vascular Plant Sheet
and Bryophyte Packet
©University Relations,
|
Specimen Mounted On Standard, Archival Herbarium Sheet (11
1/2" X 16 1/2 ")
Lead Plant (Amorpha canescens Pursh)
©University Relations,
|
Specimen Mounted With Archival Glue and Linen Thread
(See arrows) False Hellebore (Veratrum woodii J. W. Robbins)
©University Relations,
|
Specimen With Fragment Packet
(See arrow) Low Nut-rush (Scleria verticillata Muhl. ex Willd.)
©University Relations,
|
Specimen Mounted With
Archival Glue The glue is similar to the white, all-purpose glue sold commercially. It is applied to the reverse side of the plant and once dry is invisible.
Mousetail (Myosurus minimus L.)
©University Relations,
|
Specimen with Annotation Label
(See arrow) Showy Lady's-slipper (Cypripedium reginae Walter)
©University Relations,
|
Specimen with Label, Herbarium Seal and Accession Number Indicated
(See arrows) Southern Adder's-tongue (Ophioglossum vulgatum L.)
©University Relations,
|
Specimen With Label Indicated
(See arrow) Blue-eyed Mary (Collinsia verna Nutt.)
©University Relations,
|
Bryophyte Packets
Note that some are 'front-fold' (upper left and right, middle right and lower left) and others are 'back-fold'. ©University Relations, |
Hepatic (Liverwort) Specimen
Trichocolea tomentella (Ehrh.) Dum.
©University Relations,
|
Small Aquatic Mounted
On Herbarium Sheet With Archival Glue Mosquito Fern (Azolla caroliniana Willd.)
©University Relations,
|
Specimen mounted using PVAC
(polyvinyl acetate) (See arrows) Bird's-foot Violet (Viola pedata L.)
©University Relations,
|
Snow
Trillium (Trillium nivale Riddell) collected by Thomas Huston Macbride in
©University Relations,
|
.C.W. Beadle Herbarium (NE)
|
Collection
and incorporation of herbarium specimens
Focus
Quality & Quantity
Vouchers
New Projects
Procedures
Focus
Quality & Quantity
Vouchers
New Projects
Procedures
Aim
The NCW Beadle Herbarium (NE) aims to have a comprehensive regional collection and research appropriate collection of plant specimens housed under conditions of and curated along lines of world's best practice.
Policy
Focus
The region of prime focus for comprehensive representation in the herbarium includes the Northern Tablelands, North Coast, North West Slopes Botanical Divisions of NSW. The Western Plains and Central Western Slopes Divisions and South East Queensland are also of considerable interest. Areas further afield are of low priority.
Appropriate (regional, national or international) coverage of plant groups subject to active research by academic staff and research students of the University will be sought. See Botany's current research activities listed on the World Wide Web under 'staff' and 'postgrad students' (www.une.edu.au/botany/index.htm).
Quality and Quantity
Specimens should be of the highest quality possible. Given biological variation and the stated 'focus' of the Herbarium the specimens should represent an adequate sample of available material and where ever possible be fertile. Specimens should be prepared using appropriate techniques (see Procedures below).
All specimens to be incorporated into the Herbarium must be accompanied by adequate specimen and site information. Specimen information will be incorporated into the Herbarium computer database.
Vouchers
Data on plants from botanical and ecological research should be 'specimen-backed'; i.e. high quality voucher specimens accompanied by good specimen and site information.
Inadequate specimens that serve short needs for research projects may not be incorporated into the Herbarium.
No charge will be made for incorporation of suitable voucher specimens (though donations for this purpose will be gratefully received).
New Projects
Staff and students of the University initiating projects that involve use of the NCW Beadle Herbarium should contact the Herbarium prior to commencement of the project.
Procedures
On the commencement of new projects involving the collection of plant specimens, supervisors and/or students should consult with the Director of the Herbarium as to the needs of the project in regard to the Herbarium facilities, and appropriate sampling strategy for specimens/vouchers. The 'new projects' pro forma should be completed and returned to the Herbarium.
Researchers might like to register new research taxonomic projects with 'Plant Systematics Research in
Budget for the time to incorporate plant specimens into the herbarium. It is the responsibility of students and general staff making collections to mount specimens for incorporation into the Herbarium. Academic staff may wish to discuss possible arrangements for the incorporation of specimens into the Herbarium. Duplicate collections should be allocated for distribution following consultation with the Director of the Herbarium.
Plant to budget for the cost of collection, and incorporation and databasing of specimens into grant proposals. The table of costs developed by the Council of Heads of Australian Herbaria is available to help in this budgetary process.
Equipment for preparation of herbarium/voucher specimens (day presses, presses, cardboards, and aluminium sheets) can be signed out from the Herbarium.
The minimum specimens and site information required for Herbarium specimens is as set out in the NCW Beadle Herbarium collecting books. Collecting books are available from the Botany office (see www.une.edu.au/botany/bookw.htm). Jeweller's tags are available from the Herbarium for Botany users, others may purchase tags from paper suppliers or stationers. Other materials for the incorporation of specimen into the herbarium (e.g. archival paper and folders, tape, bags for fragments, etc. are available in the Herbarium.
A video on collecting and preparing plant specimens 'Hot off the plant press' is available (www.une.edu.au/botany/bookw.htm).
Books providing additional information on collection and preparation of specimens are available from the Director of the Herbarium.
v.3 October 19, 2001
Aim
Botany and the NCW Beadle Herbarium (NE) aim to provide an efficient and effective plant identification service to the northern region of NSW.
Policy
General
Botany will provide a plant identification service. This service is provided free to members of the public from the local region for non-commercial purposes.
The service is generally not available to students if the specimens are a part of compulsory course work.
Individuals or organisations using the service for commercial purposes will be charged.
Non-profit organisations may be charged at reduced rates. University-based individuals or groups using this service for funded projects may be charged.
Materials
Identifications are provided for fresh or dry plant specimens. The level of identification usually depends on the quality of the specimen and information on the plant and site of collection.
Specimens should be of the highest quality possible. Wherever possible specimens should be fertile. Specimens should be prepared using appropriate techniques (see procedures below).
Slides and photographs are also accepted, but the identification may not extend to the species level.
Our expertise is in native and naturalised plants of the region, though identification to some level of cultivated plants may be available.
Procedures
Mr Matthew Gray will co-ordinate the service and act as point of first contact.
Costs (including GST)
A 'per-specimen' rate may be negotiated. Time-based work will be charged as follows
$25 minimum
$100 per hour in 15 minute blocks
$300 per half day (i.e. 3.5 h)
$500 per full day (i.e. 7 h)
Payment of charges for identification may be waived if the material and accompanying information is of suitable standard and the material is donated for incorporation into the NCW Beadle Herbarium.
Plant specimens
Incomplete or inadequate specimens may not be able to be identified.
Samples should fit inside a fold of a tabloid newspaper and include a stem with leaves attached, and flowers and fruits. Press (and dry if delayed in bringing the specimens) between sheets of newspaper.
Bases of small plants (including grasses) should be collected.
Specimens of eucalypts should include buds and fruits and adult and juvenile leaves and, a description and extent of the bark type.
Provide a numbered index list to the specimens and tag the specimens with the same number. Up to six specimens in one collection will be dealt with for individuals.
Information on the size of the plant, its habit, habitat, location and date of collection should accompany the specimens. Collecting books with further information are available for a small charge from Botany.
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