top of page
Newsletters
Am I allowed to use the login credentials of
another person to access the database?
Alligatorweed
(Alternanthera philoxeroides)
Found an invasive species? Register for a free login account, or submit a public report.
Collecting a Specimen
Contribute to your local herbarium by learning how to collect and properly prepare plant voucher specimens.
A voucher specimen is a representative sample of a plant species that is used for identification and as supporting evidence of information learned during the research process. It is critical that voucher specimens are preserved correctly so that the information they hold is available for long periods of time. As a result, specimens are processed in standardized ways, deposited in internationally recognized herbaria, and referenced within publications as evidence of research.
Plant classification is constantly changing. Shifts in species alignments and groupings are made as new evidence comes to light. Identifications are subject to change. Vouchers specimens help cross-reference these changes to previous research.
The following "Plant Collecting and Drying" guidelines are provided by the Carnegie Museum's Herbarium.
bottom of page