A collection of dried plant specimens mounted, pressed, and preserved on sheets, organized for scientific study and reference.
From Latin 'herbarium' (a collection of plants), derived from 'herbarius' (of herbs), which comes from 'herba' (grass, plant). The term became standard in scientific use during the Renaissance.
The oldest surviving herbarium is from 1554 and is still preserved in Italy—dried plants from five centuries ago remain in perfect condition, proving that with the right technique, plants can become permanent records of natural history.
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