View from the Far Side

A Timeless Garden of Paper: The World of an Herbarium

By McKenna Academy

March 25, 2024

In the heart of science, where the whispers of leaves and the tales of petals unfold, lies the herbarium – a sanctuary where the botanical world is preserved, one specimen at a time. This article embarks on a journey through the history, purpose, types, importance, and challenges of herbaria, and a reflection on their enduring legacy and future.

The McKenna Academy’s BioGnosis project focuses on just one herbarium, in the city of Iquitos, Peru, and its treasure trove called the Herbarium of the Amazon (Herbario Amazonense Universidad Nacional de la Amazonia Peruana (UNAP)). Within its walls lie 150,000 biological specimens – not just ordinary plants, but living records of indigenous knowledge. These specimens reveal how the plants of the Amazon enable nature’s magic for healing. With Juan Ruiz, the herbarium’s longtime curator, who is a bridge between the realms of science and traditional medicine, the Academy’s BioGnosis project offers the UNAP herbarium eternal life.

A Journey Through Time: The History of Herbaria

The story of herbaria begins in the Renaissance, a period of Old World awakening, when the study of plants transitioned from the pages of ancient texts to the tangible, verdant earth. Luca Ghini, a visionary Italian botanist, pioneered the creation of the first herbarium in the 16th century, laying the foundation for a tradition that would grow and flourish over the centuries. Ghini’s innovation was not just in preserving plants, but in transforming the study and understanding of the natural world. The oldest surviving herbarium, created by Gherardo Cibo, and the revolutionary ideas of Carl Linnaeus, who advocated for specimens to be kept on individual sheets for easier study, mark milestones in the evolution of herbaria.

The Purpose of Preserving: Why Herbaria Matter

An herbarium is not merely a collection of dried plants; it is a library of biodiversity, an archive of ecological history, and repository of scientific knowledge. Each specimen, carefully mounted on acid-free paper and accompanied by data detailing its origin, tells a story of a moment in time, a piece of the Earth’s vast and varied tapestry of life. These collections serve as critical reference material for taxonomists, aid in the conservation of species, and support research across disciplines from ecology to climate science.

A Diversity of Collections: The Types of Herbaria

The term “herbarium” encompasses a variety of collections, each with its focus and specialization. From the general herbarium, housing vascular plants, to the fungarium, dedicated to fungi, and the xylarium, preserving wood specimens, these collections reflect the diversity of species and the vastness of inquiry. The hortorium, with its focus on cultivated plants, highlights the intersection of human and botanical worlds.

The Crucial Role of Herbaria in Science and Society

The importance of herbaria extends far beyond the walls of the institutions that house them. They are invaluable tools for understanding biodiversity, documenting the existence and distribution of species, and providing opportunities for understanding our connected relationships.

As the digital age dawns on these ancient collections, the digitization of specimens — along with emerging technologies — opens new horizons for education, collaboration, and research. Through sharing the wealth of information they offer with living indigenous wisdom, they hold promise for our collective well-being.

Navigating Challenges: The Future of Herbaria

Despite their significance, herbaria face challenges ranging from the need for resources and expertise to maintain and expand collections, to ethical considerations in specimen collection. The loss of species and habitat is accelerating, underscoring the urgency of documenting and understanding plant biodiversity. Still, in the face of these challenges, an herbarium stands as a beacon of hope and knowledge, its collection a testament to the resilience and beauty of the natural world.

The Legacy and Promise of Herbaria

Every herbarium reminds us of the enduring power of curiosity and the importance of preserving the natural world for generations to come. The pages of an herbarium offer not only the history of botany but a roadmap for the future – a future in which the knowledge preserved within these collections continues to inspire, inform, and guide us in our stewardship of the Earth’s precious biodiversity.

In the timeless garden of paper that is an herbarium, every leaf tells a story, every specimen a whisper of the world’s endless wonder. Let us cherish these collections, support their growth, and continue the vital work of exploring, understanding, and conserving the botanical world. For in the heart of an herbarium lies the heart of our connection to nature – a connection that, like the specimens it preserves, endures through time, a beacon of hope, knowledge, and inspiration for all who seek to understand the natural world.

Discover Biognosis: Bridges to Ancestral Wisdom

The McKenna Academy’s visionary project is preserving 150,000 botanical specimens from the Amazon—each one a key to indigenous healing traditions.
🔗 Digitizing the Amazon’s Healing Heritage for Future Generations