Procurement and preservation of plants

Abstract

Plants have been used by humans for thousands of years for a great variety of purposes. While many people collect plants as a hobby, specimen collections also contribute to the broader scientific community. To provide the greatest value, the specimen must be collected and documented properly. This chapter provides basic guidelines on how to collect plants in the field, process the specimen through pressing and drying, and properly mount the specimen for long-term storage. While the chapter focuses on techniques used for vascular plants, special cases and alternative techniques are also summarized.