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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
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DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY

The Plant Press

From The Plant Press, Vol. 23, No. 2, April 2020.

Physical distancing telework testimonial

By Erika Gardner

Pressing Viola sororia
Having moved from California five years ago, core collections manager Erika Gardner is collecting local flora and familiarizing herself with the names and distinctive characteristics of east coast native plants, resourcefully using a miniature plant press to press specimens in her neighborhood and utilizing the digital records to verify correct identification. Here she is pressing a native Viola sororia. (photos by E. Gardner)

As someone who cares for the well-being and maintenance of the collection, as a part of the Core Collection Management team, I have been preoccupied with the following task while telecommuting. It pains me to not be physically in the collection but I am diligently working from home, updating transcriptions in the database, modifying and updating protocols which were last updated in 2016, and mounting unforsaken Poaceae specimens from home.

About 9 months ago I moved out of the heart of DC to the Maryland suburbs. We have a yard now and it is our first spring in this new house! In between work breaks I have been out exploring our modest plot. I have decided that since I am the “land manager” I have the liberty to collect and press the flora from my backyard. So far I have collected a native violet, Viola sororia and a non-native Vinca minor (escaped from my neighbor’s yard into mine). I have a Trillium sp. on the verge of flowering! I can’t wait to see it in flower to figure out what species it could be. I am using a children’s mini plant press that I purchased from the National Gallery of Art as a stocking stuffer. Glad I bought this in December because I am getting a lot of use out of it while in quarantine.

Pressing Vinca minor
Having moved from California five years ago, core collections manager Erika Gardner is collecting local flora and familiarizing herself with the names and distinctive characteristics of east coast native plants, resourcefully using a miniature plant press to press specimens in her neighborhood and utilizing the digital records to verify correct identification. Here she is pressing a non-native Vinca minor. (photos by E. Gardner)