Preparation of Specimens

Each new plant specimen we add to the Herbarium collection is carefully prepared so that it will remain in good condition for use by future researchers.

Different herbaria use different methods for mounting plant specimens. The sections below outline the methods used at RBGE to prepare: 

See also the links in the sidebar.

 

Flowering plants 

At RBGE, dried, pressed plants are glued, taped and stitched to supportive mounting boards, so they are robust enough to withstand repeated handling. The video  below shows one of our technicians mounting a specimen.

The mounting board, label paper, capsules, tape and PVA adhesive are all archival quality. White polyester thread is used for stitching. For further information on archival materials see section 2 of RBGE Collections Care: Preparation and Care of Herbarium Specimens (link in the sidebar).

 

Plant mounting step-by-step

Unmounted material in newspaper
Attaching label to herbarium board
Placing loose material in a capsule
Applying glue to the material
Placing non-stick paper and soft card over the specimen
Placing a sandbag on to the material to weigh it down
Making holes for stitching
Stitching the specimen into position
Tying the thread off on the back of the herbarium board
The knot is covered to prevent it damaging specimens below
Wetted tape is applied to support the material
The mounter signs and dates the back of the specimen
The completed specimen

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    Unmounted material in newspaper

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    Attaching label to herbarium board

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    Placing loose material in a capsule

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    Applying glue to the material

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    Placing non-stick paper and soft card over the specimen

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    Placing a sandbag on to the material to weigh it down

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    Making holes for stitching

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    Stitching the specimen into position

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    Tying the thread off on the back of the herbarium board

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    The knot is covered to prevent it damaging specimens below

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    Wetted tape is applied to support the material

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    The mounter signs and dates the back of the specimen

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    The completed specimen

Large fruits and seeds

If a plant has very bulky fruits or seeds we pack them in archival boxes for inclusion in the carpological collection.

We can also preserve plant material in three-dimensional form in the spirit preserved collection.

 

Conifers

  • Some conifer species (eg Picea and Abies) quickly lose their needles when dry
  • To preserve them for mounting we soak them in alcohol … then immerse them in 50% aqueous glycerol.

 

Bryophytes (mosses), lichens, and fungi

We preserve small, friable plants like Bryophytes, lichen and fungi by putting them in paper capsules mounted on herbarium sheets.

 

Algae

We mount aquatic plants by floating on to herbarium sheets. For more information see:

SPNHC How to prepare seaweed specimens

Botanics Recommends

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