découvrez toutes les étapes pour créer un herbier réussi, de la collecte des plantes à leur conservation. apprenez les techniques de pressage, le choix des matériaux et des astuces pour embellir votre herbier.
January 28, 2025

how to make a herbarium

By Auteur Inconnu

How to make a herbarium ? This question resonates as a call to discovery, to the colors and scents of our natural environment. Creating a herbarium is much more than just an artistic project; it is an invitation to explore nature, to observe each leaf and each petal, to capture them in a setting of knowledge and wonder. No matter your level of expertise, even a novice can successfully embark on this rewarding botanical adventure.

In this article, we will guide you through the essential steps of making your herbarium. You will find out how to choose the material adequate, the ideal way to harvest plants, and tips for good dry so that they retain their beauty. Whether it’s fragrant flowers from your garden, shimmering leaves on a walk in the forest, or even a themed collection close to your heart, each specimen has a story to tell.

Prepare to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of botany and learn how to create a herbarium that will not only beautify your interior, but will also allow you to witness the diversity of the flora around you.

How to make a herbarium: a journey to the heart of botany

Make a herbarium is a fascinating process of cultivating a collection of dried plants, presented in an organized and systematic manner. Traditionally, a herbarium is a visual database that helps document the diversity of flora of a specific region, period or theme, such as medicinal plants or flowers of specific colors. Each specimen is carefully prepared, labeled, then filed in a notebook or album, creating a true work of botanical art.

This project, whether it is a simple personal adventure or a school project, is of undeniable interest at a time when biodiversity is threatened by various environmental issues. We often miss the beauty and complexity of our plant environment. By creating a herbarium, not only do we preserve memories of our outdoor walks, but we also learn to observe nature from a different perspective. Identifying plants, understanding their characteristics and their importance in the ecosystem is a way of appreciating and respecting the biodiversity that surrounds us.

One of the first steps to start making a herbarium is to choose your approach: do you want to collect plants from your garden, or rather those you encounter during your walks in nature? For example, some amateurs choose to create a thematic herbarium on wild flowers of their region, while others are interested in trees and their leaves. This choice of theme can guide your research and make your herbarium even more personal.

Awareness of the biological wealth of our planet also encourages many people to embark on this adventure. According to a study conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, approximately 40% plant species on Earth are threatened with extinction. By building a herbarium, we help document these species and raise awareness among the general public. Furthermore, many schools and institutions encourage the creation of herbaria as a means of learning, merging natural sciences with manual skills.

To get started in this activity, it is essential to have some basic tools. A secateur, leaves of blotting paper or a thick book for pressing, as well as a notebook or a album are essential. Choosing the right material may seem trivial, but it is crucial for the long-term conservation of your specimens. Indeed, the type of paper used influences the lifespan of the plants, as do the drying techniques you apply.

THE drying plants is a key step in creating a herbarium. To avoid the decomposition and preserve the color and shape of the samples, it is best to dry them immediately after harvest. This can be done by pressing them between sheets of blotting paper or using a flower press. Let the seedlings sit in a dry, well-ventilated area for several days, until they are completely stiff and dry to the touch. You can also draw inspiration from traditional methods used by botanists, who recommend specific pressing and drying techniques depending on the type of plant.

After drying, comes the stage oflabeling. Each specimen deserves special attention. Note its scientific name, date and location of collection, and information about the habitat or climate in which it was found. These details enrich your herbarium and make it accessible to future enthusiasts who will consult it. In addition, this activity is an excellent way to reinforce our knowledge of damaged species by the environment and their biotopes.

Next, the layout of your herbarium is a creative adventure in itself. You can choose to juxtapose the specimens on the page, give pride of place to your favorite finds or organize the plants by color or season. Consider aesthetics while respecting scientific structure, because the harmony between beauty and functionality is what makes a herbarium unique and captivating.

In summary, creating a herbarium is both an act of preservation and a celebration of plant diversity. It is an invitation to explore, learn and share a passion for nature with others. This helps to counter the gradual disappearance of a number of plant species, while cultivating an intimate connection with our environment.