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Collection of Plants

Plants specimens are collected from; Ponds ,Arboterioum ,Botanical gardens , Forest.

• Whenever possible , the whole plant parts including the underground roots  should be collected . the branches should also have the flowering  structures . if the plant is too small, try as much as possible  to show its size  and incase the plant is large , it is best to collect  as much as it can be mounted  so as to show as many characteristics  as possible
• it is ideal that both flowering and fruiting parts  for each plants  be included
• the best way to collect the plant specimen is to first take time to study  all the stages  of growth of the plant  and taking a few of each stage  structures  and characteristics at a time
• The most important part of  plant collection  is making of field notes . each specimen collected should be numbered and notes made   concerning it  should be put in a note book  while in the field .
• There are three main ways of collecting plant specimens

(a) Uprooting and digging

(b)  Cuttings done for shrubs  and woods

(c) Net picking done  for aquatic  forms eg algae

 A good-quality herbarium reference collection provides the following:

• A tool for plant identification;
• A data source for research on the taxonomy and distribution of plant groups and for writing handbooks and floras;

• A historical record of plant locations, and of a collector’s contribution to the science of botany;
• A repository for voucher specimens related to published scientific reports;
• An educational resource for learning to recognize the plant species of an area;
• An accurate and permanent documentation of botanical information that adds credibility to data collected in vegetation surveys.

Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) and lichens require different collection and preservation techniques, and are treated separately from vascular plants (seed plants, ferns, clubmosses and horsetails).

Collection of botanical material involves two activities—gathering the specimens and recording the information. Even if you have a relatively good knowledge of the local flora, you may not be able to accurately identify all plants in the field. During vegetation sampling, collect representative specimens of all species that are important to meet your collection needs (except for known rare and endangered specimens, which can be photographically recorded). These specimens will later be used to confirm identification and provide a permanent record for future reference.

Your collection may also represent a range extension or contribute to the knowledge of a plant’s taxonomic or natural history. It may also show the ‘‘plasticity’’ or variations possible under different habitat conditions. Be sure to record accurate and consistent habitat information when collecting the specimens—it is generally difficult to remember and accurately record it later. A good-quality plant collection requires considerable advance preparation and a lot of effort. Since you may have only one chance to collect in a particular area, ensure that all details are followed carefully.

Collecting equipment

The equipment needed for collecting plant specimens will depend on the type of plants you are collecting.

Basic equipment

• Waterproof field notebook to record habitat and location information.
• Soft lead pencils for writing in rain.
• Topographic maps and location information should include locations or latitudes and longitudes.
• Small altimeter for measuring elevations.
• Gardening gloves to prevent injury when handling irritating or thorny specimens.
• Strong plastic bags for storing branches or carrying individually bagged collections; 18 -41 cm (4-6 mil) is adequate for most plant material.
• Waterproof tags and permanent felt markers.
• A shovel, trowel, or dandelion tool for digging underground stems, bulbs, corms, and roots.
• Pruning shears or secateurs to cut plant parts (e.g., fruit, cones, flowers, buds, leaves, bark) or for trimming large, woody plants to appropriate size.
• Paper lunch bags for storing cones.

For aquatic specimens

• A long, lightweight pole (telescoping if possible) with numerous prongs at one end, or a leaf rake with retractable prongs, or a long-handled cultivator.
• Plastic food containers with lids, or zipper bags.
• Snorkelling or scuba-diving equipment (useful if circumstances permit).
• A white plastic slate with wax marking pencil for recording data underwater.