So I am not really sure how what I am about to say actually happened. I have a bachelors degree in Biology with a Plant Biology emphasis. I am currently in my 5th summer conducting research on plant related things. I have subbed for professor’s in labs that I taught people how to collect, press, and mount plants. So how in the world was Saturday the first time I had ever pressed a plant!!!!! I mean, I know how to do it, I just never have. Hmmmm….

Well that being said I told Rob earlier tonight “I have been bitten by the plant pressing bug…and I got it bad, man!” This may be somewhat of an understatement. Since Saturday (my first plant pressing attempt mind you) I have attacked the tundra with the full fury of Eric Hulten. I currently have in my bedroom quintuplets (5 samples) of 46 species of tundra plants being pressed. I am collecting so many so that if I mess any up (which i am sure is inevitable) I will have extras. This and I haven’t even started the grasses yet or went out into the tundra away from the road or the sites. AND, the mosses and lichens are still to be done. My heart is actually pitter-pattering a little faster even as I write this. I have officially discovered the joy of plant collection, identification and pressing… and I got it bad!!!!

Now for a little kudos to be handed out. These go to Jenny and Kelsey who have been instrumental in my new found obsession. They have helped collect plants, identify them, given me tips on how to press them (thanks Jenny), and tolerated me as I drive along on the ATV, suddenly stop, jump off, and say “I haven’t got that yellow one yet!” as I run off the trail toward a group of flowers.  Also, one more pay it forward kudos to Rob because Kelsey and I are coming Barrow this weekend and I am going to guilt him into a whirlwind tour of plant collection that the North Slope has never before witnessed.

Stay tuned to more confessions of a serial plant presser. So many plants…so little time!