Field collections for the herbarium Kate Eden

How good collecting can make specimens quicker to mount and easier to preserve long term. 6 basic reminders:

1. The herbarium sheet is 42 x 26.5 cm. Collect enough material to show variation, but remember that multiple pieces take much longer to mount. Collect enough material to show variation, but remember that multiple pieces take much longer to mount.

Local newspapers may not be the same size as a herbarium sheet Local newspapers may not be the same size as a herbarium sheet. If specimens are too big they will have to be trimmed or folded which again increases mounting time. Local newspapers may not be the same size as a herbarium sheet. If specimens are too big they will have to be trimmed or folded which again increases mounting time.

2. Collect enough material, including some for the capsule.

A single fruit or flower may easily be lost or damaged …

… especially if specimens are not handled carefully.

If secured by glue, the fruit or flower may be less easy to view. Loose material for the capsule is vital if we are to continue glueing specimens down. If secured by glue, the fruit or flower may be less easy to view. Loose material for the capsule is vital if specimens are glued down.

3. Arrange plants for pressing so that all important features are displayed.

A poorly pressed specimen of Pimpinella. Rearranging dried plant material for mounting is fiddly and time consuming. Poorly pressed material is also more prone to damage once in the herbarium. A poorly pressed specimen of Pimpinella. Rearranging dried plant material for mounting is fiddly and time consuming. Poorly pressed material is also more prone to damage once in the herbarium.

The same Pimpinella specimen after mounting.

This specimen was pressed so that the flower visible in the right hand photo was completely hidden by a leaf. This specimen was pressed so that the flower visible in the right hand photo was completely hidden by a leaf.

Remember to press the specimen so that you can see both upper and lower surfaces of the leaves.

4.Take care with fruits and flowers.

Use waxed paper to press flowers to prevent damaging fragile petals Use waxed paper to press flowers to prevent damaging fragile petals. The flower on the left has also been dried for too long or at too high a temperature. Use waxed paper to press flowers to prevent damaging fragile petals. The flower on the left has also been dried for too long or at too high a temperature.

The curled leaves of this poorly pressed specimen were very fragile The curled leaves of this poorly pressed specimen were very fragile. It had to be soaked and repressed to make it flat enough for mounting, a time-consuming process! The curled leaves of this poorly pressed specimen were very fragile. It had to be soaked and repressed before mounting, a time-consuming process!

5. Reduce bulk as far as possible.

Remove excess foliage and split bulky fruits and roots whenever possible. . Very bulky material is difficult to store in the herbarium. Remove excess foliage and split bulky fruits and roots whenever possible. Very bulky material is difficult to store in the herbarium.

This bulky root distorts the other specimens in the folder.

6. Package specimens carefully.

Put small fruits in packets, or they may end up lost in the bottom of a box!

Use cardboard to support bundles of pressed specimens and store them in strong boxes (top left) to protect them before mounting. Use cardboard to support bundles of pressed specimens and store them in strong boxes (top left) to protect them before mounting.

This Gesner has been damaged in transit.

The ‘gold standard specimen’ for mounting and preservation: Summary: The ‘gold standard specimen’ for mounting and preservation: fits the sheet includes material for the capsule has been pressed to display fruit and flowers is not too bulky arrives undamaged So it is quick to mount and easy to preserve.