Plant specimens are collected in the field, pressed flat between newspapers, and dried in a plant press.
At the time of collection, the collector takes notes in a field-log about the possible identity of the plant, where and when it was collected, habitat characteristics including soil type and other plant associates, flower color and scent, size and habit of the plant, and any other pertinent information that may not be obtainable from the resultant specimen.
After drying, the plant is mounted on acid-free paper with a label providing the name and classification of the plant as well as all collection data.
After mounting, herbarium specimens are stored in special cabinets and are filed in order by taxonomic group and then by geographic origin.
