Collect and Identify Plants: Techniques, Licenses, and Safety Measures

This article discusses the techniques, licenses, and safety measures involved in collecting and identifying plants. It covers topics such as the use of taxonomic keys, herbarium collection techniques, licenses and permits required for plant collection, and the importance of appropriate PPE. It also explains the terms plant anatomy, physiology, morphology, taxonomy, and botanic nomenclature.

COLLECT
AND
IDENTIFY

Table of Contents
QUESTION AND ANSWERS........................................................................................................1
1: Why is it important to plan for the collection and classification of plants?.......................1
2: Describe the use of a taxonomic key?................................................................................1
3. If you were unsure of the classification of a plant species, who could you consult?.........1
4. Who might you involve in the collection and classification process?................................1
5. What types of licence and permits might be required and who might permission and
reporting be required by?........................................................................................................2
6. What is the purpose of recording data on the location from which the specimen was
collected?................................................................................................................................2
7. Where can you obtain botanical reference information from for comparison of the
specimens collected?..............................................................................................................3
8. Why should you use individual labels for specimens?.......................................................3
9. Describe herbarium collection techniques?........................................................................3
10. Describe the term ‘plant anatomy’?.................................................................................4
11. Describe the term ‘plant physiology’...............................................................................4
12. Describe the term ‘plant morphology’.............................................................................4
13. Describe the term ‘plant taxonomy’.................................................................................4
14. Describe the term ‘botanic nomenclature’.......................................................................5
15. Why would you undertake collection and analysis activities in an area in different
seasons?..................................................................................................................................5
16. Why would your complete collection and analysis in an area over defined periods such as
every two years?.....................................................................................................................5
17. What is the importance of appropriate PPE in the collecting of plant specimens?..........5
18. What tools and equipment may be required in the collection of plant specimens?.........6
19. What are some ethical considerations when conducting a plant specimen collection
activity?..................................................................................................................................6
20. When describing the location of a plant specimen for collection, why is it important to
define the structural vegetation forms (very-sparse, sparse, mid-dense and dense)?.............6
21. What is the importance of cleaning equipment and clothing before leaving the site?.....6

22. What is the appropriate technique for transporting plant specimens within a plant press
and when they are dried?........................................................................................................7
23. Describe the method for drying specimens within a plant press......................................7
24. Explain the following botanical terms and give an example of a species which it may be
associated with them...............................................................................................................8
25. Define the following plant habits.....................................................................................8
26. Identify how the following range of likely operating conditions, hazards and difficult or
sensitive environments might impact on collecting and preserving specimens.....................9
27. Identify three work health and safety hazards associated with plant collecting, their
associated risks and possible control measures......................................................................9
28. How can you be certain that the specimen collected will provide adequate material for
identification and preserving?..............................................................................................10
29. Within an organisation, where could you find information on appropriate work health and
safety requirements and work practices?..............................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

QUESTION AND ANSWERS
1: Why is it important to plan for the collection and classification of plants?
The collection of plant plays significant role in creating understanding regarding the
plant’s species and their nature of growth and development. The function and development of the
plant are usually based on the xylem and phloem of plant that help in intrinsic mechanism which
is studies after the collection. It is also help to known the number of species. It is useful to
remember the different plants which is possible to remember more plant if organise in the
different categories. Moreover, they also help to support for the discovery of new species
because it shows the aid in the prediction of new characteristic which is based on species (Abrol
and et. al., 2018).
2: Describe the use of a taxonomic key?
The classification of every species is essential phenomena which is played by researcher in
order to discover the new species rather it is based on animal or plants. With this context, the
taxonomic key is work as tool which is common for the determination of specific object. In term
of plant taxonomy, they key is helpful for the scientist to identify new plants and named it
appropriately. With this, systematise rely is one of the foldable key which is based on the
idenitifcation of known plants species and determine that they discovered new plant entirely.
Moreover, the taxonomic key always plays key role within the identification and determination
of new plant species.
3. If you were unsure of the classification of a plant species, who could you consult?
It is very rare that the classification of the plant species is in doubt and not accurate. In
such cases, then the zoologist is the man who usually play vital role in the recognition of plant
classification in the proper way. Therefore, they have a wide range of knowledge regarding the
plant and their species, usually the study of plant is known as zoology and person or the
individual who used to study about this is known as zoologist. Moreover, a zoologist is
preferring as the consultation to clear the doubt which is majorly associated with the study of
plant classification that is based on species (Ahmad and et. al., 2021).
4. Who might you involve in the collection and classification process?
In addition, while doing or conducting the collection and classification process of plant.
The person who used to involve with the study during the assignment is individual that knew
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about the plant species and used to work for the longer period within the plant. It may be
zoologist, or the person who has place longer time with plant and known their function. The
diversity within the plant species are wide and require specific knowledge for the plant is
difficult to remember. In addition, the proper study and own notes is beneficial for the collection
and classification of plant process.
5. What types of licence and permits might be required and who might permission and reporting
be required by?
Before taking the license and permit for the research process of plant collection and
classification, it is required to pursue the course in diploma or bachelor in plant study or
agricultural study help to provide the authentic license from the environmental agency who used
to provide permission for the collection and classification. In addition, environmental agency or
local authority usually provide the permission for an environment permit. They are allowing that
person to carry their activities with some term and condition which prefers the ethics and notion
of environment. The permits also taken the charge of water and air pollution, radioactive
contamination and other environmental hazards. Moreover, they also focus on the different
reporting aspect where the document is submitted with proper evidence that is investigated or
taking in the process of classification and collection (Akram, Sharif and Saba, 2020).
6. What is the purpose of recording data on the location from which the specimen was collected?
It is important to record the data which is collected or related with the location because it
helps to provide the vision regarding the plant species. It shows that the location usually has
number of species and as evidence are specimens are collected. The collection of specimens must
be labelled in proper way and it help to show complete interpretation of the results which is
reliable. In addition, the specimen is mostly related with the plant species which is nearby
location which is Yapper River. It usually provides a wide range of plant species that include
sunflower, orchid, Eucalyptus, acacia and many more. The Yapper River is located in the gulf
country of the far northern Queensland, Australia. Therefore, the collected specimen from such
location are usually reported with the aspect of species which is present within the local location.
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7. Where can you obtain botanical reference information from for comparison of the specimens
collected?
In addition, the herbarium is the defined as the collection which is pressed, dried and preserved
plants, that is mounted on the paper sheet, properly labelled that is based on systematic pattern
which is arrange and make their availability for the reference and the study. In addition, the
labelled on the aspect which is related to provide the sheet that is consider all the information
regarding the place of collection, local and botanical name, family, genus and species. Moreover,
for the botanical reference the internet directory for botany, the Arnold arboretum and many
more resource which is used for the comparison of specimen which is collected. In addition, such
resource is useful with the vision of comparison because they have wider range of species that is
carried out within the research (Anchitaalagammai and et. al., 2021).
8. Why should you use individual labels for specimens?
It is important to labelled the specimen which is collected during the process. It is
necessary item to consider when the determination of academic value of the specimen is used to
level. In addition, the label does not have sufficient information then they are not accepted in
such term the information is used to collected which is based on the collection location, place,
genus, family and other essential important information which is provide useful approach for
other when they used to study or choose to perform some research reference with plant species.
Whereas, it is analysing that the plant specimen is usually incomplete without the label data. In
addition, the label data is defined as the form which is based on the observational field data. It
must be accurate and more descriptive with the single collecting occurrence.
9. Describe herbarium collection techniques?
The herbarium collection technique is usually used for the plants. In this, properly dried,
pressed and determined that is placed in the thin paper fold which is known as specimen covers
that is kept together in the thicker paper that they have folder genus over. The family which they
are incorporated into the herbarium cupboards in their proper position which is according to the
system of classification. In addition to this, the herbarium collection is usually formed with the
aspect of specimen, where the plant is usually collected and note that is used to made as
important aspect. The plant is usually pressed until the dry blotters that usually absorbed the
context of moisture and mounted onto the herbarium sheet with the suitable label. In addition,
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they are usually following the factor which may contributed within the collection, drying,
poisoning, stitching, labelling and deposition (Bondorina and et. al., 2020).
10. Describe the term ‘plant anatomy’?
The plant anatomy is defined as the study that is related with the shape, structure and the
size of plants. With this context, it acts as a part of botany which is based on the study of plants.
In addition, the plant botany usually focuses on the structural or the body parts and associated
system that make up the plants. The typical plant which is consist of three major vegetative
organs. The usually named as root, the stem and the leaf as well as the set of reproductive part
that majorly consist of flower, fruits and seeds. The plant physiology also consists of mechanism
that is based on xylem and phloem that is helpful for transportation of food and material.
11. Describe the term ‘plant physiology’
The term plant physiology is defined as a branch that focus on the study in botany that
dealing with the physiological processes of functions of plant. In addition to this, it is a broad and
descriptive study that is useful in order to provide the details regarding the variation and structure
of plant at the molecular and cellular level. Therefore, they are also useful to provide the
information that is related with the ecological, physiological and biochemistry that associated
with the aspect of plant exploration (Bourion and et. al., 2018).
12. Describe the term ‘plant morphology’
The plant morphology is referred as a term which is helpful to represent the study of
development form and structure of plant. It is also useful to show some implication and attempt
in order to interpret that is based on similarity of plan and origin. Therefore, there are different
type of investigation technique that is associated with the plant morphology and each technique
are usually overlap with one another when they are analyse in the field of biological sciences.
13. Describe the term ‘plant taxonomy’.
The plant taxonomy is also defined as a science that is helpful in order to find, identify,
determine and classify the names of plant with their species. In addition, the practices are used to
take and within the plant systematics that involves the relationship that is associated between
plants and their evolution. Moreover, it is also evaluated at the higher level that provide a factor
that the plant taxonomy deals with the actual handling of specimens that is associated with plant
(Dapar and et. al., 2020).
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14. Describe the term ‘botanic nomenclature’
The botanical nomenclature is referred as a format that is based on the scientific structure
that is prepared for the naming of plant. Whereas, the plant taxonomy is usually concerned with
the grouping and classifying of plants. Moreover, the botanical nomenclature is usually a process
that providing name to the species of plant.
15. Why would you undertake collection and analysis activities in an area in different seasons?
It is very important to collect and analyse the data which is related with the plant is
specimens. The collecting of data allows to store and analyse information about the existing and
new discovered plant species. Moreover, the main reason to perform the different activities in the
several seasons to explore the new plant specimen that may be appear during the different
alternative seasons which may be investigated as per doing the analysis activities in the area
(Gumusay and et. al., 2019).
16. Why would your complete collection and analysis in an area over defined periods such as
every two years?
The collection and analysis in an area over a define period is essential in order to know
about the new species of plant which may be discovered due to the aspect of evolution or any
circumstances that is based on the climate. In addition, every two years is persistent and effective
time frame for the collection and analysis of the plant specimen in a certain area which may grow
and develop and prepared for experiment.
17. What is the importance of appropriate PPE in the collecting of plant specimens?
The personal protective kit is usually not only help in order to protect the people but also it
is useful to improve the productivity of the individual. In addition, farmers and environmental
researcher are also get benefit by using the appropriate protective equipment’s from themselves.
The zoologist is also using the personal protective kit in order to reduce the potential hazards
which occur during the cutting of trees. The use of personal protective equipment is suggested
during and after the application of pesticides which is helpful to eliminate the risk of disease that
is affected by pesticides. In addition, the personal protective kid is also useful in term of planting
to reduce the pesticides contamination and protect the human health (Mahood and et. al., 2020).
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18. What tools and equipment may be required in the collection of plant specimens?
While taking the contrast of tools and equipment, it is usually required in the appropriate
collection of plant specimens for the herbarium for others. In addition, the asses and purchase
collecting equipment and supplies that are usually taking into the consideration with the help of
equipment’s are plant press, plant dryers, markers and many more which play a productive role
within the collection of plant specimen as equipment.
19. What are some ethical considerations when conducting a plant specimen collection activity?
There are some of the ethical considerations which is usually follow for the plant specimen
collection activity. These are:
 Collecting should be done in the appropriate manner, the casual observer may not
understand the reason for such activities.
 The CNPS disapprove of undirected and excessive collecting by the researcher of the
student and the classes that may show the outcome of taking rare plants from the small
population.
 The society in encourage all instructor to use common plant and garden species for
elaborating the collecting technique and taxonomic features (Malik, Kasana and
Lakhanpaul, 2020).
20. When describing the location of a plant specimen for collection, why is it important to define
the structural vegetation forms (very-sparse, sparse, mid-dense and dense)?
In addition, the plant specimen is usually collected from the Yapper River which have wide
range of plant species. Therefore, the vegetation form is essential approach which is taken under
the analyse that provide the main structure of the environment. In this, the complexity which can
taking the vacillation of the ecology and the biodiversity system. In addition, the measurement of
the situation is usually taken that help to provide the structure which is act as indicator towards
the ecosystem management. In addition, there are number of measures which has been taken
with the laborious and require the expert knowledge. In this, the very sparse, sparse, mid dense
and dense are used to consider to provide the vegetative forms.
21. What is the importance of cleaning equipment and clothing before leaving the site?
The importance of cleaning equipment’s and clothing before leaving the site is very
important and organised behaviour that is helpful and create positive approach. In addition,
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cleaning the site make the thing organised and also avoid the mess which is usually within the
site places. In addition to this, it also helpful to provide appropriate space that is compulsory for
the next researcher to use the site appropriately as per their convenience. Moreover, the site is
always clean with the proper hygiene aspect that help to make a positive behaviour towards the
work and their workplace. Cleaning of equipment is also an essential aspect that is played with
the proper disinfectant that make the equipment free from microbes or any infection that may be
present at the site (Nerva and et. al., 2019).
22. What is the appropriate technique for transporting plant specimens within a plant press and
when they are dried?
The process of technique which is involved in the transportation of plant specimen within the
plant place are usually followed some of the step. In addition, the first step is usually collection
of plant samples. In this, state the plant are pressed and process for placement with the proper
automatic technique. In addition, putting the pressure together which provide appropriate
outcome for the transportation which is rationale and play a vital role for the more. The final
state is to putting the press together and labelling the plant which is helpful to provide the
information that is related with the plant in the appropriate manner.
23. Describe the method for drying specimens within a plant press.
There are some of the methods which is useful for drying of specimen within the plant
press. In addition, place another piece of newspaper within the top of the plant and formulate
layers. Moreover, the piece of newspaper with the concerned specimens are usually show some
of the aspect that is inside between two pieces of blotting paper. However, between two pieces of
corrugated cardboard. It is useful to allow the proper air to circulate. Moreover, place the
resulting package and the plant press and gently screw it downward for the appropriate outcome.
In the herbarium plants, they are usually tried in the force air plant dryer that follow the
temperature of 100 degree Celsius. In addition, the pressures are placed in the dryer in a
coordinated manner that show the presence of hot air that is blown to the cardboard that help to
dry the plant more evenly (Rigden and Fernández, 2018).
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24. Explain the following botanical terms and give an example of a species which it may be
associated with them.
A: Cultivar: The cultivar is defined as subspecies that describe the plant variable that is produced
through the artificial selection. For example, tomatoes and apple.
B: Acuminate: Tapering to the point at the leaf. For example, Acer palmatum and many more.
C: Oblique: Side are unequal. For example, common hackberry and so on.
D: Buttress: Wide root on all the sides of the shallowly rooted tree. For example, Bombax and
many more.
E: Cone: Cone is also known as strobilus. It is defined as the mass of scales or bracts which is
usually ovate in shape that contain the reproductive organ in the some of the non-flowering
plants. For example, horsetail and so on (Sani and Oyelaran, 2019).
F: Decurrent: The decurrent is define as the plant or fungal part that extend towards the
downwards. For example, maple and many more.
G: Lenticel: The loose aggregation of the cell which is penetrate the soil with the help of stem of
woody plant and through the gases are exchange which is associated between the atmosphere and
the tissues. For example, apple, avocado and many more.
H: Panicle: The panicle is the branched raceme that each branch has to more than one flowers.
For example, Astible and so on.
I: Sessile: These plants have no stalk that is growing directly through the stem. For example,
Saffron and so on.
J: Tomentose: It is defined as the plant structure which is covered with the densely matted
woolly hairs. For example, Smilax Pumila and so on (Shi and et. al., 2022).
25. Define the following plant habits.
A: Tree: The tree is defined as plant which have permanents woody main stem or trunk.
B: Shrub: a shrub is a woody plant that is typically less than the 8-meter tall.
C: Mallee: They are low growing plant that is shrubby. For example, Australian eucalypts and so
on (Singh, Kumar and Bedi, 2021).
D: Sub-shrub: It is defined as the dwarf plants that is short woody plants. Named as lavender and
many more.
E: Herb: The pant with leave or flowers that is widely distributed with the group of pants that
usually exclude vegetable and other plants which is usually consumed as macronutrients.
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F: Fern: Fern are plant that do not produce the flowers.
G: Parasite: The parasite plant is usually classified and depend on the location that include the
latches onto the host and the amount of nutrients that is requires.
H: Vine or Liana: It is long stemmed, woody wine which is rooted in the soil and climb or twins
around the other plants.
I: Grass, sedge, rush or graminoid: Graminoid is refers as the herbaceous plant that show the
structure of grass like morphology. That is elongated with the culms with the long, blade like
leaves (Tokhtar and et. al., 2019).
J: Rosette tree: The rosette habit that is based on the leaves that is grow in the cluster that used to
form the circular pattern.
26. Identify how the following range of likely operating conditions, hazards and difficult or
sensitive environments might impact on collecting and preserving specimens.
A: Climactic conditions: The climate change usually may impact on collecting and preserving of
specimen because it has heat waves, enhance flooding or drought, that may create over water and
sometime less water that affect the growth, reproduction and resilience of plant life.
B: Steep, loose rock site and access: The plants trees on hill slopes. Plant root is usually help to
keep the land from crumbling and absorb the water. Due to the lack of water and extreme
humidity may create negative impact of plant life.
C: Protected land or species: In this, the change in the environment which may create
consequence with the diversity that could not match with land and species which may affect the
growth and development where the plant is usually dead (Uddin and et. al., 2019).
27. Identify three work health and safety hazards associated with plant collecting, their
associated risks and possible control measures
Hazards Risk Control
Poisonous plant The risk is higher and the
person may be fatal due to the
poisonous plant which may be
occur due to the cuts and craps
while managing.
Try to use gloves while
handling of plants and
managing. In addition, the
gloves may act as barrier to
prevent the cut from the plant
and reduce the chance of
9

hazards.
Accident cuts and craps While managing the plants
and doing their cutting,
sometime the cuts and craps
are usually occurring due to
the inappropriate cuts. It may
be creating craps on hand and
that is risky while gardening.
While managing the plant by
cutting their leaf branches to
support their growth, the cut is
usually occurring, in addition
avoid the unnecessary cut in
plants and used protective
knifes and scissor which is
helpful to reduce the accident
cut and craps.
Extended sun exposure While the collection of plant
species sometime the extended
period sun exposure is faced
by individual which may
cause the issue with the
individual that show the aspect
of sun burn and tanning
(Waldner and et. al., 2019).
Use hats while taking care of
plant in the exposure of sun.
In addition, suns cream is also
effective in order to reduce the
skin burn and tanning.
28. How can you be certain that the specimen collected will provide adequate material for
identification and preserving?
The preserved plant specimen is usually helpful in order to provide the important
information that is related with the plant diversity and distribution. In addition, the verifiable
form that used to serve as the evidence of the plant’s existence on the time and associated space.
Moreover, the specimens are usually preserving and maintained for at least 200 years. The
adequate material and information are used to collected from the expert determination on plant
specimen, also making a technique which is based on recognition and comparison with the help
to resource that provide the proper information which is related with the identified plants.
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29. Within an organisation, where could you find information on appropriate work health and
safety requirements and work practices?
Within an organisation, the information which is related with the proper work health and
safety requirement and work practice is acknowledge with the help of employer. The employer is
usually taking the responsibilities to inform the appropriate work health and safety requirement
which is taking into the practice. In addition, health and safety executive also used to provide
appropriate information which is related with the health and safety at workplace. The health and
safety executive are national regulator who usually work for the health, safety and welfare. The
main purpose of the health and safety workplace executive is usually help to prevent the work-
related death, injury and ill health (Zhang and et. al., 2021).
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