how i got a bunch of leaves ID’d at the Institute of Biology [while being sick].

You probably clicked this because you’re either curious about the process of plant identification or concerned about me at this point. You could be both, and that’s okay. Anyway, this happened 2 years ago.

Days after my second win at the Division Science and Technology Fair, I knew I had to work my butt off again. The paper that I just submitted? It was crap. The data wasn’t invented, of course. I spent two whole weeks, rain or shine, collecting that. But the structure? It was all over the place. But I still think that the win was justified because I have proper documentation, + my research objectives and potential contributions are significant for Quezon City (this is an urban forestry study). I had a lot of follow-up methods to accomplish— one of which was that I had to get my leaf samples identified by a taxonomist.

But you already know what the problem is. I got measles. Yes, you’ve read that right. Measles during my busiest week of 2024. In addition to that, my school has a lot of activities during those times. Science Month culminating, Teachers’ Day, and so on. But with the deadline for the RSTF submission being 3 weeks from then, I had to lock in despite my urge to scratch my skin all the time.

So right after the Teachers’ Day program, I dragged my research adviser out of the school HAHAHA, with flowers gifted by her students still in her hand, on the way to the University of the Philippines. She had no idea I had measles (or she had, if she was observant enough at the time to notice it). I don’t know because I never really got to tell her about my rashes until now. Because I wasn’t a UP student at that time, I didn’t know anything about the roads in UPD or the National Science Complex, so we just took a taxi to save time, as it was already around 2 PM then.

My research adviser and I posed for a convex mirror selfie at Regidor St. I had my mask and long clothes on to minimize the risk of transmission, while my adviser was holding the flowers. As you can see, I am also holding a garbage bag.

Upon arriving at the Institute of Biology, I was pretty surprised by how unexpected Jose Vera Santos Memorial Herbarium looked. I thought it would be very well-lit and super organized, but I was greeted by a bunch of pressed leaves in the corner of the room. Well, laboratories in UP are really just like any other laboratory of its kind. Nonetheless, these seemingly “chaotic,” “normal” rooms actually get the work done, producing high-quality and impactful research.

When we were entertained by the herbarium staff, that’s when the memorable moments happened. We met Mr. Ramon “Mang Mon” Bandong, the herbarium’s resident plant taxonomist and the one who profiled the species of trees in Masungi Georeserve! My research adviser was asked if the specimens were the flowers she was holding, HAHAHAHA. It’s a prank! The specimens were actually the leaves I brought inside a garbage bag.

The ID Process

The ID process is very simple. You just have to make sure that your samples have intact leaves and stems. Do NOT submit leaves only, stems only, or a picture of a tree trunk for the sake of their sanity — it would be challenging to ID. They accept pictures too, but make sure to place a reference material beside it, or if it is a picture of a canopy, make sure to capture the leaves and the trunk clearly.

Yup, this is how plant ID at Jose Vera Santos Memorial Herbarium happens.

No fancy scanners were used to ID the specimen (I used to think as a child that leaves like this are identified through machines HELP). The taxonomist (Mang Mon)’s expertise is enough to identify them. Of course, the ID fee for every specimen is still a bit pricey (around PHP 200), because remember, we’re not paying for the costly materials; we’re paying for Mang Mon’s expertise. Imagine memorizing ALLAT of plants and being able to identify them at a single glance. Not everyone can do that.

It only took like 5 minutes to ID the specimens, with the certificate mailed to me electronically after 1–2 business days. The receipt was immediately processed, but I was CULTURE SHOCKED to find out that we have to go to the Cashier’s Office located on the OTHER SIDE OF UP just to pay for it, then go back again to IB to confirm payment and pick up our things before going home. In case you’re curious, we paid around PHP 2,000 because I submitted 10+ specimens.

Before going home

I remember Mang Mon asking about my study because apparently, most [99.9%] of the people who visit the herbarium submit only one specimen (I am part of the 0.1% immortal pathogen HAHAHA). He said that my study regarding urban forestry was indeed quite uncommon and must be studied, and he wished me well on my endeavor.

I did well, I guess:’)