How to Press Plants
Written by: CJ Kazilek

show/hide words to know

Herbarium: a collection of dried plants mounted (usually on paper) labeled and arranged for use by scientists... more

Have you ever seen an interesting plant that you wanted to keep? The best way to preserve a plant specimen is to press it and dry it. Dr. Leslie Landrum has many cabinets of dried plants in the Arizona State University herbarium. This collection allows researchers to go back in time to study plants. The Herbarium has plants that were collected as far back as 1877. You can start your own collection of interesting plants by pressing and drying them. Follow the directions below to make your own plant press.

Materials needed:

  • 2 flat pieces of wood
  • 2 pieces of cardboard
  • old newspaper
  • rope or strong twine
  • garden clippers or scissors
  • paper to mount your dried plant onto
  • glue to stick plant to paper
  • paper to create a label
step 1step 1 step 2step 2 step 3step 3

Step one: You will need to create a press to press your plants flat.


Step two: Find an interesting plant to press.
Step three: Pressing the plant.
step fourstep 4 step fivestep 5 step 6step 6

Step four: Putting the press together.
Step five: Tying the press together and drying.
Step six: Mounting your plants.
step 7step 7 Step seven: Labeling your dried plants.  

 

(Thanks to Dr. Leslie Landrum at Arizona State University for suggesting this experiment).

Read more about: Create your own herbarium

View Citation

You may need to edit author's name to meet the style formats, which are in most cases "Last name, First name."

Bibliographic details:

  • Article: Create Your Own Herbarium
  • Author(s): CJ Kazilek
  • Publisher: Arizona State University School of Life Sciences Ask A Biologist
  • Site name: ASU - Ask A Biologist
  • Date published: December 21, 2009
  • Date accessed: November 12, 2024
  • Link: https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/create-your-own-herbarium

APA Style

CJ Kazilek. (2009, December 21). Create Your Own Herbarium. ASU - Ask A Biologist. Retrieved November 12, 2024 from https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/create-your-own-herbarium

American Psychological Association. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/10/

Chicago Manual of Style

CJ Kazilek. "Create Your Own Herbarium". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 21 December, 2009. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/create-your-own-herbarium

For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/717/04/

MLA 2017 Style

CJ Kazilek. "Create Your Own Herbarium". ASU - Ask A Biologist. 21 Dec 2009. ASU - Ask A Biologist, Web. 12 Nov 2024. https://askabiologist.asu.edu/activities/create-your-own-herbarium

Modern Language Association, 7th Ed. For more info, see http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08/

Create your own herbarium

Be Part of
Ask A Biologist

By volunteering, or simply sending us feedback on the site. Scientists, teachers, writers, illustrators, and translators are all important to the program. If you are interested in helping with the website we have a Volunteers page to get the process started.

Donate icon  Contribute

Share this page:

 

Share to Google Classroom