Pinelands Herbarium

A How To Lesson for the Advanced Biology Laboratory

Cherokee High School

Large Plant collection

 

Daisy fleabane ( Erigeron annus )freshly collected.  Smaller flower

 

Arranging small flowers

 

Connecticut Valley - Herbarium Case

 

Objectives

To produce a herbarium based upon the native flora of the western fringe of the pine barrens

To learn the techniques for the correct preservation of plants, lichens, mosses, and algae

To identify and classify plants with correct scientific terminology

To maintain an accurate record of the collection of the plants in the pine barrens

To teach students an appreciation for their local environment and to raise and heighten their sensitivity to the preservation of this habitat

Preparation- The week before. 

Students should make their herbarium folders and come prepared for the laboratory period

1. They will need one Sunday newspaper. 

2. A large cardboard box or container that they have flattened

3. String

4.  “Post it” Notes to stick to paper

5.  Construction paper, filter paper, and salt solution will be provided by instructor

Methodology

  1. Assign the students to groups so that cooperative effort can be implemented
  2. Have student groups assigned to different sections of the Cherokee campus.
  3. Students should then collect the plants in the assigned area of the campus
  4. Upon return to the classroom students should work cooperatively in the identification of the plants using the guides and keys provided by the instructor

 

Collection procedure ( Each student is responsible for finding and preserving plants.  When a student finds a plant, he( she) is responsible for the preservation and identification of the plant.  He(she) assumes the role of expert on this plant and should be able to discuss its prominent features or characteristics)

 

  1. Rare plants or individual plants in a location should not be collected.  They can be photographed for the lab report or the web page
  2. Plants that are common, should be collected carefully by gently digging them up, cleaning the root system, and placing them onto the paper.
  3. The “ Post it “ Note should be placed on the paper with the location, time, and name of the lab group
  4. Flowers should be arranged on the paper and spread.
  5. Leaves should be arranged to show both the exposed surface as well as the underside of leaves
  6. If stems are very thick, they can be sliced and then pressed
  7. If plants are large they can be carefully folded to fit on the paper
  8. Blue and purple flowers with vacuoles containing anthocyanins should be treated with a salt solution to maintain the color
  9. Upon completion of the collection, the herbarium folder should be bound with string
  10. The folder will remain in the classroom for one week until the next lab period when plant identification and distribution of the flora will be studied.

 

Herbaria Evaluation

Each group will submit a report based upon the plants in their assigned areas.  The results will be shared in an open classroom discussion and presentation.  Presentations may be enhanced with photographic images or by PowerPoint presentations.  Pictures may include the plants collected in nature and the herabarium as well as the laboratory groups in action in the field and in the classroom.

General References ( Books)

Boyd, Howard.  A Field Guide to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.

National Audubon Society- A Field Guide to the Mid- Atlantic States

National Audubon Society.   A Field Guide to Wildflowers.  Eastern Region.

The Audubon Society Nature Guides.    Eastern Forests.

Weidensaul, Scott.    A Field Guide to the Natural Year.

 Plant References

Pinelands Flora( Internet)

 

 http://www.georgian.edu/pinebarrens/ - Beautiful pictures of the plants of the PineBarrens

http://www.npsnj.org/ - New Jersey Native Plant Society

http://www.npsnj.org/photo_gallery.htm - The best photos of New Jersey Native plants

http://www.hoganphoto.com/ - Michael Hogan's pictures of the pinelands and plants

http://www.georgian.edu/pinebarrens/ - Georgain Court College's photos and information on native plants