Instructions for the Collection and Preservation of Botanical Specimens

Abstract

In gathering plants you will do well to pay attention to all the plants you come across, whether showy or unsightly. Do not neglect the latter on account of their appearance. Collect if possible several specimens ofthe same plant, partly to show different states of the same species, and partly to be able to distribute them among different botanists. Do not be deterred from gathering what appears to be the same species at different places and seasons. It may prove not to be the very same species, but only an allied species; or even if identical it is interesting for the study of geographical botany to have the same species from distant localities. On the whole collect only such plants as you find in flower or fruit; but trees and shrubs ought to form an exception, as also smaller plants, if they afford some particular interest, either by their medicinal or other properties, great preponderance in certain districts, etc. The most important part of the plant is the flower and fruit. Get if possible such specimens as present both states, flower and fruit, or both on different specimens. You will find plants which have fertile and sterile flowers distinct, they occur either on the same plant, as in the oaks, hickories, etc., or in different plants, as in the willows, cottonwoods and others. In both cases it is important to collect specimens which show each of them. Many plants develope the leaves after the flowers, as the oaks, redbuds and many others. In these the flowers must be preserved, and later in the season, the leaves with the fruits; but great care must be taken to get them from the same species. If the specimen you obtain is not too large, gather it entire, with the root or at least with part of it, so as to show the nature of that organ. Try to have the lower as well as upper leaves complete on the specimen, especially if they should differ from each other. In case the specimen is too large for a sheet of paper, say more than 17 inches high, it may still be preserved entire, by bending or rather breaking (without entirely severing the parts) the stem in an acute angle. If necessary, this may be repeated and branches or leaves may also be treated in the same manner. This is better than cutting it in different segments, as these might become separated and much confusion ensue from this cause. Of still larger plants, shrubs, trees, it is possible to take only a part, a branch, etc.; but if there should be different leaves on the plant, it will be necessary to cut off such leaves with a small piece of stem attached, and preserve them with the other specimens. Make the specimen large enough to present a fair sample of the plant, its manner of growth, ramification etc. It will be well to put your specimens in paper as soon as gathered; their parts are then fresh and still and are easily spread out in a neat way; but if they become flaccid they present much difficulty, and the dried specimens will appear unsightly. Large specimens with thick stems or roots (bulbs especially) or even very clumsy flowers (as