Herbarium of the Northwestern University Luzon Philippine (HNUL)

Herbarium of the Northwestern Luzon, Philippines . 

An accredited herbarium and registrant to the 

Index Herbarium, New York, USA

The NUEBG opened its Herbarium to the public after it was registered to the Index Herbarium NYBG in the United States in 2013 with HNUL as its international code. Its collection comprise herbarium specimen as a representation of the vegetation of the entire Northwestern Luzon, Philippines. It is covers the province of Cagayan, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Ilucos Sur, Abra, La Union and Pangisinan. The herbarium is arranged into three sections: 

Systematic Collections -  These are collections arranged according to families and subfamilies of the kingdom plantae. They follow the latest plant systematics (APGIV) and are extensively used for botanical researches, plant taxonomy and morphological study of certain taxa including molecular works such as DNA barcoding  and phytochemistry. 

Synoptic Collections - These are collections from specific location, vegetation or mountain range.

Carpological Collections - These are preserved plant parts, fruits, seeds and flowers in alcohol or in bottles. A large collection of the world's pinecones is also displayed including Cycad strobili and other gymnosperms.

HNUL is among the registered herbaria in the Philippines

Curatorial Works

Note to all researchers. 

Those engaged in the use of Biological Diversity for research purposes need to submit the following for Specimen Identification:

1. Letter to the HNUL director mentioning the intention of the request (Biodiversity studies, Ethnobotanical related, Phytochemical) to be signed by the adviser and Department head.

2. Collection Permit

3. Prior Informed Concent (PIC) from the type locality, or place of collection.

4. Certification from the Brgy Captain, Head of Organization, or Institution, indicating that the collection has been made and well coordinated. Notarized.

5. Submit specimen in duplicates, in accordance to international standards. Field notes and other records from the collection site, initial ID and local names. The other specimen will be deposited at the Herbarium for future references, given a unique accession number. 

5. Pay corresponding amount to the Northwestern University finance department of PHP 250 per specimen. Get receipt and submit a xerox for Herbarium specimen attachment.

6. Get your Certificate of Plant/Specimen Identification from the curator. Usually not less than 14 working days due to bulk of Herbarium backlogs.

For strict compliance:

-sterile specimen are not accepted, including bare living materials thar are not properly processed preserved, stored, or mounted in stardard Herbarium Sheets.

The researcher should be mindful of all applicable regulations & laws governing the use of Philippine Biodiversity.

In case of other specimen verification, they are sent to partner institution for curatorial works, and may take 1 month.

Herbarium processing and workshop

FEATURED HERBARIUM COLLECTION

HERBARIUM COLLECTION

Herbarium of Northwestern Luzon, Philippines (HNUL)

The Northwestern University Ecological Park & Botanic Gardens (NUEBG) in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, is home to the important botanical collection known as the Herbarium of Northwestern Luzon, Philippines (HNUL). HNUL was founded under the auspices of the Center for Biodiversity Conservation, Restoration Ecology, and Environmental Concerns (CBCREEC) and is an essential resource for the research, conservation, and documenting of local plant species. 

Collection Overview

HNUL houses an extensive collection of over 20,000 plant specimens, representing more than 2,600 species across 227 families. This includes 136 species listed on the IUCN Red List, highlighting the herbarium's role in preserving threatened flora. The collection encompasses various plant groups, including tropical forest trees, flowering ornamentals, desert-succulent plants, ferns and allies, grasses, wildflowers, vines, parasitic plants, carnivorous plants, epiphytes, cycads, palms, crops, and variegated cultivars. 

Research and Conservation Initiatives

HNUL actively contributes to botanical research and conservation efforts. Researchers affiliated with the herbarium have documented new species, such as Amorphophallus flammeus, and rediscovered species previously considered extinct in the wild, like Psychotria ilocana. These discoveries underscore the herbarium's importance in advancing scientific knowledge and conservation strategies.