Question

4. Why is it important to perfectly Dry and poison the plant specimen before mounting?​

Answer 1

Answer:

Specimen preservation

To preserve their form and colour, plants collected in the field are carefully arranged and spread flat between thin sheets, known as 'flimsies', (equivalent to sheets of newsprint) and dried, usually in a plant press, between blotters or absorbent paper.

Answer 2

Answer:

The specimens need poisoning to keep away insects and fungal pests. This is normally done when the specimens are partially dehydrated or dried. There are several methods of treating specimens making them either permanently poisonous or unpalatable to herbarium pests.