Mounting a Specimen

Mounting is the process that turns dried plants into herbarium specimens. In this instructional video, herbarium collections assistant, Matthew Chansler, will take you through the process of mounting a specimen. Whether your mounting at home or in an herbarium, you have what it takes to make a botanical specimen!
Intro and Set-Up: (0:00)
Easy Specimen: (1:10)
Difficult Specimen (6:31)
Results: (14:30)

[@claudepineda8214]

These seems like really complex kindergarten arts and crafts, except possibly dealing with endangered native flora. I love it

[@PantherJM15]

I’m new to this! Never knew this work existed! Your videos are fun to watch, and very educational! Such beautiful work you do!

[@michiganstateuniversityher344]

Thank you! Sorry for the late reply. Since our biosphere is undergoing such significant change, it's more important than ever to continue documenting biodiversity. Support your local Herbarium! Natural history collections often rely on volunteers.

[@mariad.9334]

Great job and description. Thank you so much.

[@droserabinata]

Thanks!

[@saikat0079]

Great sir...thanks for ur video...it has helped me a lot...

[@droserabinata]

Thank you! We're glad it served its purpose!

[@iwillalwasecomelast]

Great video. Lots of help. Question, what is the glue you are using? PVA?

[@droserabinata]

Yes, it is PVA: Missouri Botanical Garden type glue, from Herbarium Supply.

[@Elisha_the_bald_headed_prophet]

Do you add any diatomaceous earth/silica/any other form of pest control before filing? BTW that's a shton of washers!

[@alexanderharrer9618]

Thanks for the video. Isn't it better to fix the plants with water tape? In this way, the plants or parts of them can be dismantled again in order to examine them.

[@michiganstateuniversityher344]

This is a terrific question. "The Herbarium Handbook" actually says that it can be a tough decision to make. The rule of thumb is, larger, busier collections will use glue. We actually use both. I've noticed that older adhesive strips start to degrade and fail, and it's not actually that often somebody absolutely has to see underneath a specimen. We always try to flip over leaves while mounting. If a specimen absolutely has to be detached, the glue loosens when wet too. Finally, the parts that get dissected tend to be flowers and fruit, which we leave unglued.

[@tusharkantiroy5568]

What is called those paper in which specimens are pressed on?

[@droserabinata]

Hi, this is Matt. It's Herbarium paper. You can buy it from a few different places, like Herbarium Supply or University Products, among others. There was a shortage for a while; I'm not sure if the shortage has ended or not. Herbarium paper is acid-free, and it doesn't become acidic over time. It's made from cotton, not wood. Does that answer your question?