Cascante 2026 (Article) herbarium vouchers

From the field to the herbarium: a guide to collecting, preparing and documenting bromeliad specimens

Author(s):— Alfredo Cascante-Marín

Corresponding email:—alfredo.cascante@ucr.ac.cr

Publication:—Journal of the Bromeliad Society 75(2): 60-72. (2026)

Abstract:—Bromeliads are often epiphytic plants characterized by large or bulky rosettes and reproductive structures. These features can complicate the collection and preparation of botanical specimens. This manuscript offers practical guidance for enhancing the quality of bromeliad specimens intended for herbarium collections. It also discusses the use of digital composite images as a supplemental form of graphic documentation, providing practical advice on image acquisition, editing, and layout to ensure consistency, clarity, and taxonomic value. Together, these strategies aim to improve specimen documentation, support taxonomic research, and facilitate a broader dissemination of bromeliad diversity.