RBGKEW1420 - Herbarium Mounting Paper

Each year c.20,000 dried, pressed, plant specimens for scientific research are received at RBG, Kew as gifts & exchanges from scientific institutions worldwide and incorporated into the Herbarium collection. The dried material is fragile and susceptible to damage, but if properly prepared and well curated, herbarium specimens will last indefinitely.

At Kew they are glued securely onto sheets of strong, archival quality mounting card for support, to display the specimen allowing maximum observation and to preserve the specimen for many years.

Supplies of high-quality mounting card are vital for herbarium curation, as inferior, non-archival substitutes will deteriorate rapidly and must be replaced.