BIOLOGY 336: PLANT COLLECTIONS
Home page: http://www.und.nodak.edu/dept/Plants/biology336/336noframes.html
1. Required 50 collection
numbers representing at least 15 different families.
See point 2 and images!!!!
*2. Each collection number will be represented by 2 complete specimens (see images). A complete specimen is
that amount of plant material that "fills" a newspaper. A
"newspaper" is defined as that part of a regular newspaper that results
when you tear a newspaper along its longest fold. From the front headline
section you would get two "newspapers" consisting of page 1 and 2
as one sheet and the back of that section and its second to last page. These
sheets would be placed in the plant press using their normal crease as the fold
to enclose the plant specimen.
You will need TWO samples to represent ONE collection number.
*3. If possible collect plants that have both flowers and
fruit. Plants with neither flowers nor fruit will be extremely
difficult or impossible to identify. Also collect a few extra
flowers and fruits that you can destroy during identification.
4. Collect "wild plants" or "weeds". Do not collect garden
plants or horticultural plants. Please stay away from things introduced around
summer cabins. Certain restrictions apply to "state Flowers" or other
protected plants(Echinacea) or orchids.
*5. At each collection site, the following information must be recorded in a collection notebook. The
date, your name and anyone with you, collection number (beginning
with #1), exact location (one which could be relocated by anyone)
township, range, section, or mileage from intersections, state,
county. It is also wise to note characteristics of the flowers
(e.g. Color) that may be destroyed or lost during the drying and
pressing process.
*6. Collections are made by using a standard size newspaper that is split
in half along the vertical fold(see above). One half sheet is then folded to
fit between the cardboards of the plant press. As
a collection is made, the newspapers (2) must be numbered with the same number
as is used in the collection notebook. Do not renumber your newspapers when
you turn in your collection so that you have collection numbers 1-50. Turn in
the 50 you identify!!!! Whole plants or a significant amount of a large
plant will represent material for one newspaper. Do not allow material to exceed
the bounds of the cardboards.
7. Plants are pressed using materials in the following order:
a. One half of the plant press.
b. One cardboard.
c. One blotter.
d. Newspaper, numbered with specimens inside.
e. Second cardboard.
f. Repeat 2-3-4-5 for other specimens and finish with remaining
half of plant press.
g. Straps are secured around press and tightened.
h. Press is allowed to sit as to allow air to pass through the
cardboard ribs. This drys the material.
8. After 24 hours, the press can be opened and the blotters changed or rotated
180 degrees. This may be repeated as necessary until the plants are dry. They
will mold if not dried completely. After drying, the plants with surrounding
newspapers are removed from the press and may be stored in a large brown bag
or box until the fall. Keep them dry. The press is then reused for other
collections. If the plants are not completely
dry, they will mold and are not usable in your collection.
*Particularly important. Last
modified: April 15, 2008.