Plant Pressing Natural History Museum

Tom Ridge Environmental Center

Initial cleaning of specimens prior to pressing

Removing foreign matter from roots

Transferring collecting data from field book to newspaper for each specimen

Preparing plant press for drying specimens

Placing newspaper in press

Determining proper arrangement of specimen

(bend it? - cut it? - pieces?)

Arranging inflorescenceprior to closing newspaper

Alternating blotter, cardboard, and specimens in plant press

Plant press ready for straps to be applied

Tightening straps to flatten and press specimens

Placing temporary label listing contents

Drying specimen in natural circulation cabinet at 100° F (37.8°C)

Placing plant press and dried specimens in plastic bag for freezing

process

Specimens ready for freezing at -20°C to ensure no contaminants are

transferredto collection room

Recording date in – date out

Placing copy of field notes and specimens in temporary folder