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Publication #RFSR024

Request for Plant Information1

N.H. Williams2

The Request for Plant Information (SR024) is the form that must accompany samples submitted to the UF/IFAS Plant Identification and Information Service.

The Request for Plant Information is available in printable form through the EDIS Web site. The form gives details about how to collect samples and what analyses will be performed. Please see Plant Identification and Information Service (SR013) for more information.

PLANT IDENTIFICATION SERVICE

A service supported by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA HERBARIUM
FLORIDA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
379 DICKINSON HALL
PO BOX 110575
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-0575

A number of factors influence our ability to provide an accurate and timely identification. A complete specimen prepared according to our specifications below will be more likely to include the characteristics necessary for an efficient identification.

  1. All specimens should be routed through a local county cooperative extension office or another appropriate government agency.

  2. Do not send more than 5 specimens at a time unless special arrangement is made. Storage and protection from insects may cause problems that we are not equipped to handle.

  3. Specimens sent in should always be accompanied by IFAS Form 3100/03-2008.

  4. Please remove all dirt from roots. Please include the roots of herbaceous plants, when possible.

  5. Each specimen should consist of a stem with attached leaves (and flowers and/or fruits, if present).

  6. The best method to ship plants is by flattening each specimen between a fold of newsprint (ranging in size from 8.5" x 11" to 11" x 16") and, if available, two pieces of cardboard. Please do not crumple up the specimen.

  7. NEVER! NEVER! ENCLOSE PLANTS IN PLASTIC! Do not send them in a plastic-lined mailer.

  8. Please number each specimen if more than one plant is involved. These numbers will then be used for reference in our reply to you.

  9. Additional information about the plant is often critical in its identification. Include whatever comments or facts as to its source (especially whether it is cultivated), time of flowering, flower and/or fruit color, size, aroma, etc., that you think may be useful.

  10. Stand by to send additional material or information, should it be needed. Interesting specimens are often used to make permanent herbarium specimens, to ease the task of future identification for other people.

  11. Assistance from specialists at other institutions may be required to identify uncommon cultivated plants and specimens in complex plant groups. These groups may not be well represented in our collection or in our available literature. They may have hundreds to thousands of species and grow in diverse areas of the world. This process can take a long time.

  12. Specimens sent in will NOT be returned, as this is expensive and time-consuming. Please try to collect two of anything you send so that you can keep one for reference.

Footnotes

1.

This document is RFSR024, one of a series of the Plant Pathology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date March, 2002. Revised April, 2008. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

N.H. Williams, Keeper, University of Florida Herbarium Florida Museum of Natural History, Dickinson Hall, P.O. Box 117800, Gainesville, FL 32611-7800, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.