Photo Vouchers

How to Take Photo Vouchers for Plants

WHAT TO PHOTOGRAPH

Try to get close-ups of flowers (from two or more angles), inflorescences, fruits, seed heads, leaves (upper and lower surfaces), branching patterns, buds, roots, and other details. Take photos of the whole plant in the field. Try to include a scale, using objects of known size, such as a pencil, coin, shoe, fingers, or a person. This will not only help confirm identity, but it also shows the stage of growth and more.

SPECIMEN DATA

For each specimen or photograph, basic information about the occurrence is needed, as with any voucher. For all specimens collected, make sure that all documentation stays with, or can be linked to, the sample.