The Herbarium at Black Hills State University houses a collection of plants dating back to before South Dakota became a state. The preserved specimens provide valuable insights into the state’s evolving flora as its landscape has adapted to new technologies, a growing population, and the introduction of non-native species.
Mark Gabel, the Curator of the Herbarium, is responsible for the upkeep and management of these dried plant samples. He explained the significance of the collection, how it is preserved for future research, and what it reveals about the changing landscape of South Dakota.
The Herbarium features numerous cabinets filled with meticulously cataloged plant specimens. Each folder is color-coded and contains multiple pages of plants, offering essential data for researchers.
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