The Pressed Plant: Techniques in Plant Collecting and Herbarium Specimen Preparation (Session One)
Selected date Saturday April 10
Selected time 10:00 AM  –  12:00 PM

The Pressed Plant: Techniques in Plant Collecting and Herbarium Specimen Preparation - Session 1

 

Instructor: Mare Nazaire, Ph.D.

Administrative Curator, RSA Herbarium

 

Every plant is a perfect form. When pressed, dried, and mounted onto paper, its perfection is captured and preserved. Herbarium specimens are beautiful works of art, but also serve importantly to document the natural world, to assist in plant identification, and in botanical research. 

    

Join us virtually for this two part workshop series with Mare Nazaire, Ph.D., Administrative Curator of the Herbarium at CalBG, and become familiar with the techniques of plant collecting and making herbarium specimens.

 

Session One, Saturday April 10 from 10 am to noon: will cover techniques in plant collection and specimen preparation, including tools used for collecting, demonstrations in pressing and drying using fresh plant materials. We will also cover what information is included on specimen labels as well as special techniques for collecting and pressing challenging plants such as grasses, cacti, and bulky specimens. We’ll end the session with a virtual tour/presentation of the Garden’s herbarium, one of the largest collections of plant specimens in North America.

 

Session Two, Saturday April 17 from 10 am to noon: participants will learn techniques for mounting dried plant specimens onto paper. We will cover supplies used, placement of specimens, different methods for adhering specimens to paper as well as how to properly mount some of the more challenging plants like cacti or plants with delicate flowers. Participants have the option to purchase a mounting kit obtained from California Botanic Garden and practice their mounting skills alongside the instructor.

 

If you are interested in taking part in both sessions, please note that you need to register for each individually.

 

Want to mount wildflower specimens collected from the Garden to start your very own mini collection? Give the Garden an extra boost of support and purchase a mounting kit for Session Two on Saturday, April 17. The kit will include two pressed wildflower specimens from the Garden, archival mounting paper, glue and a paintbrush. 

 

Local kit pick-up only: Mounting kits will be available for pick-up only on Friday, April 16 at California Botanic Garden. As we get closer to the class, staff will contact event registrants to schedule pick-up times. Remember to wear your mask and plan to maintain physical distancing.

 

Please note, this workshop will meet virtually through Zoom.

 

Pricing:

Session One: $35 Public | $30 CalBG Members 

Session Two: $35 Public | $30 CalBG Members | Mounting Kit - class cost + $15

If you are interested in taking part in both sessions, please note that you need to register for each individually.

Category Quantity Price
$30.00  
$35.00