Collecting and Processing Cacti into Herbarium Specimens, Using Ethanol and Other Methods

Many collectors avoid collecting cacti (Cactaceae) and other succulent plants because they are unsure of how to preserve cacti as herbarium specimens. However, preserved specimens of cacti are valuable and crucial for research and conservation. This paper addresses techniques for collection and processing of cacti to make herbarium specimens, with particular reference to the use of ethanol to aid drying.