Cecropia peltata

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National Weed Detection Project
Collecting weed specimens
Cecropia peltata
Piper sarmentosum
Hiptage benghalensis
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Why collect?

• Identification
• - specimen provides evidence viewable by a range
  of researchers
• Nomenclature
• - assists with taxonomic work on a genus /
  species (Thunbergia / Chromalena)
• Comprehensive collection of naturalised flora
• - maps extent / spread / distribution both
  temporal and spatial
• - shows extension of range
• - declared plants (Class 1, 2 3)
• - provides ecological, habitat data through label
  information
• National Weed Detection Project
• - focus on new and emerging weeds
• - network of collectors
• - notification to correct authorities

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Equipment for collecting

• Tools
• Secateurs
• Collecting bags
• Rubber bands
• Labelling and site information
• Field notebook
• Printed field data herbarium sheets
• Tie-on tags
• Felt tipped pens
• Topographic maps and GPS
• Camera (optional)

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What to collect

• Good quality specimen
• Sufficient information about the plant
• Size of the specimen
• up to 30cm long
• to fit on Herbarium sheets 42 cm x 26 cm
• Choose a plant representative of the existing
  population
• Secateurs to be used
• Duplicate specimens required
• local reference herbaria
• state herbarium

Mikania micrantha. Photo courtesy Queensland
Herbarium
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What to collect

• Features of plant
• Flower and / or fruit (both would be good)
• Leaves
• juvenile if available
• need to show leaf arrangement (alternate /
  opposite)
• Stems
• bark can be an important feature

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Basic labelling

• WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THIS
• IN THE FIELD
• All info about plants should be recorded in the
  field when collecting the plant!

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Work place health and safety

• Safety
• Wear protective clothing when collecting
• boots or closed shoes
• long sleeved shirts and pants
• wear a hat
• Take sunscreen, insect repellent and water
• Beware of plant toxins when collecting
• wash hands or wear gloves
• avoid touching skin or breathing in pollens
• It is not recommended for people to enter areas
  of difficult terrain, extreme weather
  conditions or crocodile infested water

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Permits

• Request permission to access and traverse on
  private land
• If collecting from reserves a permit is
  required if there is a significant find in a
  national park take photo and locality
  information and contact a NWDP Officer

Pueraria montana var. lobata Photo
courtesy Sally Vidler
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Hygiene

• Consider potential spread of weeds when
  collecting fertile plants
• Put seeds into sealable bags preferable paper
  bags or large paper envelopes
• Remove attached seeds fromboots, clothing,
  equipment andvehicles
• Dispose of excess collectionmaterial in a
  sealed plastic bag

Photo courtesy Kate Blood
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Lets have a go at collecting in the field
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Handling plants during collection

• Specimens should be pressed as quickly as
  possible after collection
• If not possible store in a plastic bag in an
  esky or in a dark cool place (fridge)
• Make sure bag is correctly labelled
• A separate bag for each specimen is preferable

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Components of a plant press

• What is a field press?
• Lattice frames
• Folded newspaper
• Corrugated cardboard sheets
• Expandable straps

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Standard pressing methods
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Standard pressing methods
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Standard pressing methods
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Standard pressing methods
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Standard pressing methods
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Standard pressing methods
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Standard pressing methods
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Main aims

• Remember when pressing plants
• Specimens should be pressed as quickly as
  possible
• Flatten the specimens for easy storage
• Pack press evenly
• Position specimens so that all plant features are
  clearly visible
• Preserve the plant and its fragile organs as
  carefully as possible

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Descriptive information (Guide to completing the
field data sheet)

• Name
• Date
• Locality
• Latitude and longitude
• GPS datum
• 3 satellites bars

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Descriptive information (Guide to completing the
field data sheet)

• Situation

• Soil / geology

All photos on slide courtesy Queensland Herbarium
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Descriptive information (Guide to completing the
field data sheet)

• Vegetation type

Photo courtesy Queensland Herbarium
Photo courtesy Queensland Herbarium

• Kind of plant

Photo courtesy Queensland Herbarium
Photo courtesy Barbara Waterhouse
Photo courtesy Brett Carlsson
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Descriptive information (Guide to completing the
field data sheet)

• Description

Illustration courtesy Queensland Herbarium

• Abundance
• Other notes

Photo courtesy Sheldon Navie
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Drying specimens

• Warm location
• Change papers daily in first few days of pressing
• Mouldy specimens will be rejected
• Place specimens near a hot air fan or an air
  conditioner
• Plants need to dry our as quickly as possible
• Do not microwave
• Remove mould by spraying with 70 alcohol
  (metho)

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How to post specimens

• Specimens should be packed for postage
• use cardboard backing (not from press)
• folded newspaper for specimen
• include herbarium data sheet per specimen
• Send specimens to Regional Coordinator in area
  (details provided in booklet in kit)
• Send only 10 specimens at a time

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What not to do

• Do not send specimens fresh in plastic bag
• Do not use sticky tape on specimens
• Do not send flammable liquids in the mail

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Checklist

• Select specimens with flower or fruits
• Number and label two specimens of each plant
• Press and dry specimens between sheets of
  newspaper
• Keep all the fragments together
• Include notes on collecting location,
  collectors name, date of collection and other
  data
• Pack the specimens securely with cardboard
• Include your name and address on the package
  and a Plant specimens for identification form
  or covering letter, stating what information is
  required and why
• Dispose correctly of any excess plant material