Linnaean Herbarium

  Philosophia Botanica is a summary of Linneaus' thinking on plant taxonomy. In this book, he classifies plants based on their reproductive systems, and ways of pollinating. Philosophia Botanica established a basic and straightforward botanical terminology, creating binomial nomenclature; a two-part naming system. In the Linnean naming system first is the 'generic name’ and the second is the 'specific epithet' which together form the 'species name'. The generic name suggests resemblance and relationship of each species, whereas a specific epithet points out to distinctness of each. In Linnaean taxonomy, the number of plant genera is calculated by the organs of fructification. 

His herbarium essentially functions as a filing cabinet, so that it could be constantly rearranged according to the arrival of new material. He used garden exemplars or drawings showing the plant morphology. Only the characteristics that proved to be constantly defined the plant name; which simplifies the naming method and storage. 

By researching Linnaean and other types of herbariums, classification of plants, and types of reproduction, I propose to create an imaginary herbarium. This herbarium will consist of plants inhabiting a fictive ecosystem, dominated by variations of air plants and Orchidaceae. This fabricated ecosystem will follow the findings of Linnaeus and species will variegate in accordance with their reproduction possibilities within the rules of this imaginary space. Plant names will be defined following the environmental conditions, similarities, and differences of the species. There will be no ground/soil. Air plants and Orchidaceae can absorb water out of humidity in the air.