Herbarium specimens are fragile and most are irreplaceable. Please handle them with care. Some specimens were obtained by collectors who hiked and camped for days in remote areas. Some may represent rare plants with only a few specimens in existence.

• Specimens should be stored in herbarium cabinets, unless you are actively working with them. Never leave them out over night or unattended for long periods.
• Keep the sheets face (plant side) up.
• Take care not to bend, break or tear the specimens. Watch for plant parts near the edge of sheets.
• Support loose sheets with cardboard flats when carrying.
• Square up specimen stacks so that they are even. Uneven sheets tend to get bent and plant parts are broken off.
• Keep the specimens in the collection in our family/genus/species/geographic arrangement!
  Florida specimens are arranged alphabetical by county within a species.
• Loose plant pieces known to have detached from a particular specimen are to be placed in the associated fragment packet. Consult with the Collection Manger if there are unattached parts not clearly associated with a given specimen, including fruits, flowers, etc. If the sheet has no packet, it should be pulled for repair.
• Specimens in need of repair should be given to the Collection Manager or placed in a designated place.
• Evidence of insect damage is to be reported to the Collection Manager at once. Such specimens may have loose dust-like particles on them and/or plant parts that are frayed or missing.
• DO NOT REMOVE SPECIMENS FROM THE COLLECTION WITHOUT CONSULTING THE COLLECTION MANAGER.