Gymnospermae, angiospermae – growing before us
MúzeumCafé 8.
The pine collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum is internationally renowned. Today some three hundred million samples of the world flora’s estimated 350,000 plant species are held by some 10,000 specialists in more than 3400 herbaria throughout 170 countries. Exploration of the Earth’s flora is still underway. The majority of samples in the herbaria are prepared by drying in presses – thus most plants keep their exterior features well. In the case of pine trees chemical treatment can be applied to prevent pine needles from disattaching. Drying is preferably done in a well-aired room at a temperature of about 40 degrees and may take up to 2 weeks. The Department of Botany at the Hungarian Natural History Museum holds nearly two million plant samples. (http://www.nhmus.hu/modules.php?name=Tar-Noveny). One of the ten most significant units of flora comprises gymnospermae – their largest group features the class of coniferous pines. The world’s pine trees – nearly a thousand species and varieties – represent hardly 0.5% of the Earth’s spermatophyta and angiosperms. Yet their significance is far more important. One third of all the world’s forests are pure or partly mixed pine. The majority are native to a relatively small area, often difficult to access. Moreover, only a few or a few dozens are known in the case of several species. They are under special protection. Thus the herbarium rarities often have interesting stories as indicated by the accompanying photographs.