#30DaysWild day 10: I've been collecting & pressing local (plentiful) wildflowers with an aim to gathering a collection of local flora. Today I framed the ones that are ready. The specimens are each mounted on separate sheets behind each mini aperture, so I could move them around if I decide to focus all of one frame on one area or plant family later on. Suggestions and advice for anyone inspired to do the same: - try to familiarise yourself with rare species to avoid, and use the 1/20 rule when picking plants - if you can see 20 flowers, you can pick one, etc. Never uproot plants and don't pick from nature reserves. Collect responsibly and mindfully. - carry something like a tub or plastic cup with you on your walk/hike, with some soaked kitchen roll in it, this will keep your flowers fresh until you get home. - collect leaves as well as flowers, and photograph in situ, to help in identification. - ID and label plants before you press them, as they can look very different after they've can flattened. - pad out more succulent plants (e.g. pink purslane) with extra blotting paper when pressing. Plantlife have an excellent code of conduct for picking of wildflowers, plus check out their wildflower hunt campaign: https://www.plantlife.org.uk/wildflowerhunt/ #30dayswildchallenge #naturalhistory #wildflowers #botany #pressedflowers #Scotland #Edinburgh #flora #waterofleith (at Edinburgh, United Kingdom)
