Have you ever wondered where scientists keep a library of plants? Here at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, we find the Herbario USFQ. It is more than just dried leaves pressed onto paper. It is a treasure trove of botanical knowledge.
The Herbario USFQ is officially named Herbario de Botánica Económica del Ecuador. It is a space where students and professors explore taxonomy. They also study systematics and phytogeography. Evolution and ecosystems are studied here too. The Herbario USFQ serves as a plant diversity repository. It is also a center for phylogeny, ecology, and biogeography research.
Specimens at the Herbario USFQ are not just for cataloging. They are sources of material for investigations. The Herbario USFQ is registered in the Index Herbariorum since 2001. It holds over twenty thousand cataloged specimens. These specimens represent 2131 species of Magnoliophyta and Pteridophyta. Imagine the variety of plant life contained within these walls.
A significant portion of the Herbario USFQ collection focuses on economic value. One third of the specimens have information on uses and applications. This means researchers can study not only what plants exist. They can also study how people use them. Asteraceae and Solanaceae families are most represented.
Almost half of the specimens come from Andean cloud forests. These forests are known for high diversity. The collection spans 23 of Ecuador’s 24 provinces. Pichincha is the most represented province. This provides an overview of Ecuador’s plant life.
The Herbario USFQ also houses type specimens. These are original specimens used to define a species. The herbarium has seven type specimens of six species. These include holotypes of Larnax macasiana and Tiputinia foetida. These specimens are important for understanding plant classification.
The Herbario USFQ started its collection in 1994. Vlastimil Zak led the team. The Herbario USFQ is located on the Via Interoceánica. It is near Jardines del Este in Cumbayá, Quito. You can visit Mondays to Fridays. The opening times are 9 am to 12 m, and 2:30 to 4:30 pm.
The Herbario USFQ plays a vital role. It helps document the useful plants of Ecuador. The flora of Ecuador has always been known for useful plants. Missionaries wrote about indigenous uses of plants. Today, the Herbario USFQ contributes to this knowledge. It documents the diversity of useful plants.
So, as we stand here, remember the Herbario USFQ is a place of learning. It is also a place of discovery. It helps us to understand and appreciate Ecuador’s plant life.