We recently discovered we gave an herbarium on campus – how cool! We had planned on bringing you this “10 questions with…” last week, but Karen was held up with a bug infestation in the Herbarium that you might say “ate her homework”.

Karen Marais is one of two curators for the Downing Herbarium – a collection of dried plant specimens for the use of staff, students and the wider community. 

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(1) In a nutshell, my job is to…
Look after the collection in the herbarium and to add new specimens to our collection.

(2) The question I hear most often in my work is…
Q: “How long does a dried plant specimen last for?”
A: Dried plant specimens can last for centuries, if they are carefully looked after (pest, humidity, light and temperature controlled). The oldest specimens we have here at Macquarie University date from the 1950’s and most are still in pretty good shape, despite our lack of ideal conditions. Large herbaria however may have specimens that date back as far as the 1700’s.

(3) The thing I find most rewarding in my role is…
To be able to go out into the field/bush as part of my work a few times a year.

(4) This year I want to…
Finish databasing Myrtaceae, the biggest plant family we have in the herbarium.

(5) A place that’s special to me is…
Anywhere out in the bush with everything I need in my backpack.

(6) My mother/father always told me…
Make the best of every day.

(7) My guilty pleasure is…
Savoury snacks, like crackers and cheese.

(8) I’m scared of…
Heights

(9) Something I’ve never done but wanted to try is…
Surfing. I do bodysurf, but I’d love to learn to surf on a surfboard.

(10) A moment I’ll always remember is…
Leaving South Africa, my country of birth behind.