Table Of ContentAND
WEIGHT DURABLE
A
A NOVEL FOR FIELD PRESS
DESIGN LIGHT
Richard Carter
Bryson
Charles
T.
Herbarium
USDA-ARS
and
new methods have been developed dry
As and innovative to
long as Botanists have collected plants,
Smith
much
preserve specimens that retain as of the natural integrity of the living plant as possible (cf. et
upon
and methods apparent
preserving are readily
1886). Results of the progress in pressing, drying,
al.
The standard
viewing herbarium specimens covering several generations of botanical collectors.
a series of
methodology employing newsprint, corrugated cardboard, and heat has been used for several de-
blotters,
specimens
and drying
procedures
and about composition, construction, for
cades dry specimens, details
to
&
Simpson
number 2006; Carter 2007).
are provided by a of authors Fosberg Sachet 1965; et al.
(e.g.,
Styrofoam
Various materials and methods including metal tubes or cans (vascula), cloth sacks, ice
and paper and bags have been used transport specimens from the field to drying presses,
chests, plastic to
may
however, use
cumbersome be taken the their
heavy and drying presses directly to field; is
Alternatively,
by and adverse weather conditions. Several field press (portfolio)
prohibited distances traversed,
often terrain,
Haynes
Fosberg and Sachet (2006) described
designs have been used over the years, including that of (1965).
made cinched with press In the early 1990s,
from cardboard corrugate a strap.
press several pieces of
a field
Michigan, constructed press of
Dr. Anton A. Reznicek, curator of vascular plants at the University of a field
which was weight and easy use under most
cardboard and duct tape and secured with a cord, light to field
and
During Arkansas in 1993 with Dr. Reznicek, Dr. Paul Rothrock, Philip
central
conditions. a field trip to
and Immediately the
Reznicek was observed using cardboard rope press. after this field trip,
Hyatt, Dr. a
and Over
heavy the
described herein out of cloth rope.
author constructed prototype of the press
senior a
and dimensions.
has been modified increase the ease of use to perfect the overall
years cloth press to
this
down
by
on Reznicek's press cutting
The second author has successfully improvised a variation Dr. field
and hold specimens enfolded
corners of a cardboard carton and using the sides top flaps, still attached, to
newsprint.
in
AND METHODS
MATERIALS
Instructions and materials for making the Bryson Field Press (Fig. 1)
m m
and
one long 0.35
Cut out two pieces of cotton canvas or similar weight cotton cloth, piece 1 to 1.5
1.
m
m
and
wide and one piece 0.9 1.0 long 0.5 wide.
to
down.
2. Place cloth right side
hem
cm hems
hold
3. To create hem, turn edges over 1.5 and fold over again, then pin to in place (Fig. 1,
insert.
and
with double pin
folds (Fig.
rs
Journal of the Botanical Research nstitute of Texas
2(1)
Diagram of the Bryson
1. Field Press.
Fig.
and
edge thread
i the inside the outside tie
hem
mth up an opposing
side flaps.
ize
two
Pin the pieces together.
8.
Sew two by over previous hen
the pieces together stitching
9.
One
can be open pocket
ends. side to create a for
left
plywood,
board, or other supplies.
field
on
10. Pin Velcro to the cloth using care to align corresponding pieces each side. Note that Velcro strips
on
opposing
attached to opposite sides of the cloth flaps.
w
cm
and
11. Stitch around the edge of each piece of Velcro twice thread ends. Strips of Velcro at least 5
tie
*
press
field c
and
K
12. the
field
i
DISCUSSION
by and
he press described herein the result of over 15 years of field testing the authors
field (Fig. 1) is
Kcept for size and more permanent materials based on Dr. Reznicek's initial concept. Durable, light
its is
The can be under
eight, and washable, easy to use in a variety of field situations (Fig. press carried
r it is 2).
arm
or attached to a back pack, an terrain vehicle (ATV), or a saddle. is also convenient for press-
le all It
new
Bryson and A weight and durable field press
Carter, light
and
set of flaps; C, dosing the second set of flaps; D,
first
heavy
ing and transporting plants in a boat or canoe where a conventional press is too or bulky. It is useful
pressing large numbers of specimens rapidly and for pressing plants that wilt rapidly or lose floral parts
for
and
upon harvesting. The capacity of the press varies depending on the length of the press flaps thickness
we more
plant specimens and materials used divide the specimens; however, have stacked than 100
of to
and
specimens The porous cotton allows the press "breathe" the drying process
in a single press. fabric to
field
heavy were
begin. Whereas other materials, such as treated canvas, plastic lined cloth, or plastic tried in
to
and
proved be unacceptable, because they prevented drying increased
several prototypes, these materials to
promoted mold and mildew growth, and caused discoloration of specimens. However, heavy
condensation,
may make
weight polyester or other synthetic fabric be substituted for cotton to the field press suitable for
Although cardboard
work environments with constant moisture. extra corrugates,
in tropical areas or
field
plywood, add weight and bulk, they can be used in the press. Three heavy pieces of
or blotters field
felt
cardboard on one on bottom, and one between newsprint and the pressed specimens)
corrugated (one
top,
can
provide the lightest weight, while allowing for adequate handling of specimens. Additional corrugates
unnumbered
pre-numbered and
be used separate specimens from different collection sites or to separate
to
We
and
newsprint. developed a system of pressing the specimen in pre-numbered newsprint the du-
first
When
from
plicates in unnumbered newsprint. these are placed into a conventional drying press the top to
numbered removed from
bottom of each stack from the field press, the newsprint is first the conventional
Unknown
numbered
drying press. Thus, the duplicates can be easily tucked into the folded sheet. to us,
John and used numbering technique (Haynes 2006).
Dr. Thieret his students a similar
.
520 Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 2(1)
md
sew about two The major
a press in hours.
field
and Blemished and seconds can be
Velcro. fabric
>ric
we
from
purchased have noted colored absorb heat
to save in the overall cost. Also, that lighter fabrics less
more
than Although wider expensive, Velcro
sunlight darker colored Velcro are substantially
strips
fabrics.
cm
The
strips at least 5 wide provide better closure than narrower strips. estimated cost of fabric, Velcro,
may
and thread $20.00 $35.00 per but vary depending on the price and weight of the fabric
to press,
is
and amount and width of Velcro. The author experimented with addition of expandable pockets for
first
temporarily storing woody stems and fruit and straps or handles for carrying the press in the field similar to
may
commercially available presses. Each of these modifications provide better utility for specific situations,
but add and bulk the simple design described herewith.
cost to
Specimens are pressed between newsprint and stacked on top of one another with one piece of cor-
rugated cardboard on the top and another piece on the bottom of the stack. The press closed and secured
is
by pressing the Velcro strips on the set of flaps against those on the opposing set. Next the second set
first
Two on
opposing and opposing allow greater pressure the stacked
of flaps closed secured. sets of flaps for
is
and on were
specimens, hold specimens in place within the newsprint, provide pressure plant parts that
With
folded over in fitting the specimen to newsprint sheets. this field press, unlike vascula, cloth sacks,
which were
Styrofoam ice chests, and paper or plastic bags, specimens are in the exact order in they col-
When
work
lected, facilitating correlation with field notes. field is completed, the newsprint folds containing
specimens are removed and placed into a standard drying press. While placing the specimens in the drying
expose
they can be repositioned needed, refolding leaves or other plant parts to flowers,
press, easily as
e.g.
and
fruits or other structures. Precautions should be taken to keep loaded field presses as cool as possible
out of direct sunlight. For optimal results, plants should be taken from the field press and placed in drying
soon end each However, the time in the press can be extended
presses as as possible, the of day. field
e.g. at
depending upon environmental conditions and the kinds of plants being pressed. Plants such as grasses
may
and sedges remain in the press longer than plants that are subject to discoloration or contain high
field
water content, and specimens may be kept in the press under refrigeration overnight with no discern-
field
we
able Although not recommended, in unusual circumstances of exigency, have kept specimens
effects.
ill
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We
Nancy
thank A.A. Reznicek (MICH) sharing his idea of the cardboard and rope press, B. Bryson for
for
sewing and design input prototypes and the current version of the press described herein, Paige
for field
J.
and
Goodlett demonstrating use of the press in photos, and John Pipoly, A.A. Reznicek for helpful
for
J.
documenting
and The importance voucher specimens research
2007. of
Carter, Bryson, Darbyshire. in in
C.T. 5.
R.,
Weed
weed science with notes on their preparation, handling, and storage. Technol. 21 01 -11 08.
:1
1
Regnum
and Manual -1
Veg.
Fosberg, RR. M.-H. Sachet. 965. for tropical herbaria. 39:1 32.
1
John 967-2005). 22:25-31
2006. W.Thieret, student's perspective Sida
Haynes, a
R.R.
(1
Academic
Simpson, M.G. 2006. Plant systematics. Elsevier Press, San Diego, California.
and
CE. A.W. Chapman, Johnson,
Smith, J.D., Martindale, J.W. Chickering, Bessey, Cratty, J J. Davis, C.F. C.E. Smith,
I.C. Jr., R.I.
29-1
Specimens and specimen making.
G. McCarthy. 886. Bot. Gaz. 11:1 34.
1
