Herbarium: meaning, definitions and examples

A herbarium is a collection of preserved plant specimens and associated data used for scientific study. This term is often used in academic and research settings when referring to comprehensive collections of dried plants mounted on sheets.

• The university's herbarium contains thousands of plant specimens from all over the world.
• Researchers studied the herbarium to understand changes in plant distribution over time.

A plant collection is a general term for a group of plants, either living or preserved, that has been accumulated for display, study, or as a hobby. This term can be used in both casual and scientific contexts.

• Her garden is a stunning plant collection featuring various exotic species.
• The school's plant collection is used to teach students about different types of flora.

A botanical collection refers to any organized gathering of plant materials such as seeds, plants, or dried specimens. It can be used in both scientific and hobbyist contexts and does not necessarily imply the formal arrangement of specimens like a herbarium.

• The botanical collection at the museum includes rare plants as well as common species.
• He spent years building his own botanical collection, which includes plants from every continent.