Collecting and Preparing Specimens of Araceae

The family Araceae is a conspicuous component of moist to very wet life zones in the tropics. Because of the frequently succulent and often large parts, the preparation of specimens is often difficult. A detailed discussion of all aspects to be considered in preparing descriptions of Anthurium (applicable as well to most other genera) was published for use by aroid workers (Croat & Bunting, 1979). This paper will deal only with those aspects which should be recorded when specimens are being prepared in the field. Since the family is well suited to cultivation, and since an increasingly higher percentage of the collections are also being collected and sent back alive, this paper will be divided into two parts: 1. herbarium specimens; 2. live collections.