EDUCATIONAL VISIT REPORT TO THE NATIONAL HERBARIUM OF PERADENIYA
Programme Details
Date: 19th August 2026
Departure : Faculty of Siddha Medicine,University of Jaffna – 11.00 a.m
Arrival :Peradenia – Approximately 7.00 p.m
Accommodation : Hindu Culture Hall
Place Visited: National Herbarium of Peradeniya
Academic Session: 8.30 a.m. – 12.00 noon
Departure from Peradeniya: Approximately 3.00 p.m.
Number of the Students: 40
1. Introduction
An educational visit to the National Herbarium of Peradeniya and Royal Botanical Garden was organised for 41st BSMS phase 1 students of the Faculty of Siddha Medicine, University of Jaffna, as part of their academic curricular programme. The visit was intended to provide practical exposure to herbarium science, plant identification, preservation, documentation and the importance of botanical
resources in Siddha medicine and herbal research.
The programme also included an introduction to the history and functions of the National Herbarium, practical demonstrations of herbarium specimens by their staff, a visit to the New Herbarium Laboratory, and observation of preserved plant materials.
2. Travel and Accommodation
The educational programme commenced on 19th August 2026, with departure from the Faculty of Siddha Medicine, University of Jaffna, at approximately 11.00 p.m. The group arrived in Peradeniya at approximately 7.00 p.m. Accommodation was arranged at the
Hindu Cultural Hall, where the participants stayed overnight before the academic programme on the following day.
3. Visit to the National Herbarium
The visit to the National Herbarium commenced at approximately 8.30 a.m. The academic session demonstrated until approximately 3.00pm. A structured lecture and demonstration were conducted covering the history, development, functions
and importance of herbaria.
4. History of the Herbarium
The programme included an introduction to the historical development of herbaria and their contribution to botanical science.
Information was provided regarding the establishment and development of the National Herbarium of Peradeniya and its importance as a scientific resource for the study and documentation of Sri Lanka’s plant diversity. The historical development of herbarium collections demonstrated how preserved plant specimens have become valuable permanent references for plant identification, taxonomy, education and research.
5. Introduction to Herbarium
A herbarium is a systematic collection of preserved plant specimens that are properly mounted, labelled, identified and stored for scientific reference. Herbarium specimens provide permanent records of plant species and allow researchers and students
to study plant characteristics even when fresh specimens are not available.
6. Importance of Herbaria
The major functions and benefits of a herbarium include:
– Identification and authentication of plant species.
– Classification and taxonomic studies.
– Preservation of plant specimens for future reference.
– Documentation of plant diversity.
– Support for botanical and pharmacognostic research.
– Educational purposes.
– Comparison and verification of plant specimens.
– Authentication of medicinal plants.
– Support for conservation and biodiversity studies.
Herbaria are particularly important in the study of medicinal plants because Authentication of medicinal plants is essential for the quality and safe use of herbal medicines.
7. Preparation of Herbarium Specimens
The general procedure for preparing a herbarium specimen was demonstrated during the programme.
Plant collection → Selection of suitable specimen → Pressing → Drying → Mounting → Labelling → Identification → Preservation and storage
Suitable plant parts such as leaves, flowers and fruits are preferably collected because they provide important characteristics for identification. The collected material is carefully pressed and dried while maintaining its morphological features. After drying, the specimen is mounted on a herbarium sheet and provided with an appropriate label containing relevant botanical and collection information.
8. Observation of Herbarium Specimens
Different preserved herbarium specimens were demonstrated during the visit. The specimens provided an opportunity to observe how plant materials are arranged, mounted, labelled and preserved. The demonstration also highlighted the importance of systematic
documentation for future identification and research.
We observed 23 rare plant herbarium and significant medicinal plant species. Notable examples included :
1. Sida cordifolia
2. Tinospora cordifolia
3. Argemone mexicane
4. Artemisia dubia
5. Acorus calamus
6. Asparagus racemosus
7. Pterocapus santalinus
8. Holoptelea integrifolia
9. Salacia reticulata
10. Spilanthes paniculata
11. Diospyros malabarica
12. Vernonia cinera
13. Spondias pinnata
14. Wedelia chinensis
15. Mucuna pruriens.
16. Ophiorrhiza mungos
17. Alstonia scholaris
18. Artabotrys hexapetalus
19. Aristolochia indica
20. Anarmita cocculus
21. Pedalium murex
22. Rhinocanthus nasuta
23. Pancradium zeylanicum
9. Observation of Preserved Plant Materials
In addition to dried herbarium specimens, several plant materials preserved in bottles containing suitable preservation media were observed. These preserved specimens demonstrated another method of maintaining plant materials for scientific study. The preserved materials allowed important plant structures and characteristics to be examined and retained for future reference.Such preservation methods are useful for educational purposes, research, morphological studies and reference collections.
10. Visit to the New Herbarium Laboratory
Following the lecture and herbarium demonstrations, the New Herbarium Laboratory was also visited as part of the educational programme. The laboratory environment provided an understanding of the facilities and working procedures associated with the preparation, identification, preservation and study of plant specimens. The visit demonstrated how laboratory facilities support herbarium-related botanical research and the systematic management of plant materials.
11. Relevance to Siddha Medicine
The programme was highly relevant to Siddha Medicine because medicinal plants constitute an important component of traditional healthcare. Accurate identification, authentication and proper preservation of medicinal plants are essential for maintaining the quality and reliability of herbal raw materials. Knowledge of herbarium techniques and botanical identification is therefore valuable in pharmacognosy, herbal drug preparation, research, quality control and the academic study of medicinal plants.
12. Educational Outcomes
The educational programme provided knowledge regarding:
– What is herbarium
– Types of herbaria
– Functions and importance of the National Herbarium.
– Abbreviation used for herbarium specimens
– History of National herbarium
– Ancillary collection : supportive collections in the herbarium
– Types of specimens
– Main activities of the herbarium
– Functions of Herbarium
– Red Data Book
– History of Plant collection
– Herbarium specimen preparation.
– Plant pressing and drying techniques.
– Mounting and labelling of specimens.
– Plant identification and authentication.
– Preservation of plant materials.
– Laboratory facilities related to herbarium work.
– Preservation of plant specimens in bottles.
– Botanical research and documentation.
– Plant conservation and biodiversity.
– Relevance of botanical studies to Siddha Medicine.
13. Conclusion
The educational visit to the National Herbarium of Peradeniya, New Herbarium Laboratory and Royal Botanic Gardens provided valuable theoretical and practical knowledge related to botanical science and medicinal plants. The lectures, demonstrations and observations covered the history and importance of herbaria, preparation and preservation of herbarium specimens, laboratory-based herbarium work and the preservation of plant materials in bottles. The programme enhanced understanding of plant identification, authentication, documentation and conservation. It also demonstrated the important role of botanical resources in Siddha Medicine, pharmacognosy, herbal research and the quality control of medicinal plants. Overall, the educational visit served as an important academic experience connecting botanical knowledge with the practical study and preservation of medicinal plants.
