Create Your Own Classroom Herbarium
Abby Soltis, Preservice Teacher, 8726 Arbor Lake Ct. Apt. 528, Indianapolis, IN 46268
Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46208
Meredith L. McAllister, Assistant Professor, 630 W. Hampton Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46208
Butler University, 4600 Sunset Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46208
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Plant collections found at local herbariums and digital herbariums (see Butler University’s Friesner Digital Herbarium)1
can aid students in exploring plant diversity, as well as plant identification. After studying existing collections, students
may become motivated to create their own herbariums. Individual or class collections allow students to gather and
analyze plant data from species found on school grounds.
Objectives: Students will be able to collect plants to press and classify.
Suggested Grade Level: 3-12
Indiana Standards: 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 4.2.6, 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.4, 5.3.1, 6.3.1, B.4.3, B.7.1, B.8.2,
Students must be given time to both collect, identify, press and classify their plant specimens. Safety measures should be
taken to avoid accidentally collecting poison ivy, nettles, and other noxious plants.
Materials
Large, heavy books for plant pressing
Paper towels
White copy paper
Tape
Clear, page protector sheets with hole punches
Large Binder for storing herbarium
Procedure: All Students
1.
Explore specific resources for preparing herbarium specimens at
http://www.botany.unimelb.edu.au/herbarium/files/MakeHerbSpec.pdf 2.
2.
Be sure to review proper collection techniques (see additional resources for the ethics of plant collecting at:
(http://www.botany.wisc.edu/courses/botany_400/Lab/LabWK01Ethics.html)3
3.
Have students collect a variety of plant species around your schools campus, at the playground, or a local park.
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4.
Keep specimens small enough to fit on one sheet of paper. The leaves can be collected from larger plants and
branches can be preserved to maintain the leaf arrangement.
5.
Sandwich plant between two paper towels. Towels may need to be changed.
6.
Place large book on top of specimen for around 1 week.
7.
Mount dry specimen with tape on the copy paper and place within the page protectors.
Younger Students:
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Have each student describe the characteristics of each plant collected.
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Is the plant smooth or rough? What is the shape of the leaf?
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How are the plants different from each other?
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Which leaves are similar? Group leaves according to size, shape, or color.
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Look at other plant specimens on Butler University’s Friesner Digital Herbarium.
Older Students:
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Have older student’s identify and classify each plant by the genus and species.
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Have students discuss the characteristic differences between plant species. Botanists may also collect
underground parts as well, although it is difficult to dry and press roots. Methods for bending/cutting larger
plants should be discussed.
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Discuss whether all plants are native to Indiana. What makes a plant species invasive?
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Compare specimens to a digital herbarium, such as Butler University’s Friesner Digital Herbarium.
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Make sure students record the location of where each specimen is found, if available use GPS Coordinates.
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Use Butler University’s Digital Herbarium as the template for creating each herbarium page.
Resources
1.) Butler University’s Digital Herbarium <http://www.butler.edu/herbarium/>
(Last accessed online March 20, 2012)
2.) University of Melbourne <http://www.botany.unimelb.edu.au/herbarium/files/MakeHerbSpec.pdf> (Last accessed
on March 24, 2012).
3.) Dr. James Smith < http://www.botany.wisc.edu/courses/botany_400/Lab/LabWK01Ethics.html> (Last accessed
March 24, 2012).
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