A herbarium is a collection of preserved plant specimens that are used for scientific study and research. Each specimen is typically dried, pressed, and mounted on a sheet of paper, along with information about its location, date of collection, and other relevant details. Herbaria serve as important resources for botanists, ecologists, and taxonomists, helping them identify and classify plants.
Herbaria can also play a crucial role in understanding biodiversity and monitoring environmental changes. They provide valuable data for studies related to climate change, conservation, and plant ecology. Many universities and research institutions maintain herbaria, contributing to the global knowledge of plant life.