Herbarium - A Work of Fine Art

Herbarium - A Work of Fine Art

Devil's Cotton - Anabo (Abroma augusta) Family Malvaceae/Sterculiaceae*

 - Dr Abe V Rotor

 

Inflorescence in clusters

  

Herbarium specimen mounted on painted background. As a piece of art, it can be hang on the wall or displayed in a glass cabinet. On display at the San Vicente Botanical Garden, San Vicente, Ilocos Sur.

Herbarium - too formal devoid of art;

     gathering dusts, what a pity!

Is plant collection only just for science  

    and locked up for posterity? 

Mount them, these precious specimens

    on paintings in virtual reality; 

make the hall part of the living garden, 

    a museum and gallery. ~

Anabo is a small tree or shrub, 2-3 m high.  The leaves are alternate, ovate, about 10-15 cm and 10-12 cm wide.  It has a pointed tip, heart-shaped base and serrate margin. The flowers are bisexual, about 5 cm across, and yellowish with purple bases.  A preparation using the roots is used to relieve pain caused by dysmenorrhea while stimulating blood flow.  A solution made from its leaves is used to soothe the nerves.  Its fiber is often made into rope. Leaves and stems are positive for antibacterial, analgesic, diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. (Reference: 100 Wild Plants, Centro Escolar University 2007)