Guidelines For Wildflower Collections                           Info For Mr. Aschen's Classes
Due:  First Monday in May                                            at Victoria Christian School

Wildflower Center  in Cuero should be open the end of March, first of April.

Wildflower collections are due the first week of May and the collections may be picked up the
last day of class.  The collection must have at least 30 different species (the number will vary as to
the grade and year, this was for the 7th grade in 2005 plus ten butterflies) of Texas wildflowers found
growing in native areas under normal conditions ... more than 30 if you have the time and can find them.

There is no better way to begin to know the plants around us than to gather, identify, and display the
more common of the wildflowers in and around Victoria.  Gathering and preparing specimens, properly
identifying and labeling, and then formally displaying them is an essential and asethic part of studying
natural history.  We "all" drive by and say something about the "Bluebonnets", "Indian Painbrushes",
and the "buttercups" but we seldom stop to "smell the roses" ... this is that moment! 

DeWitt County is the wildflower capital of Texas!  The DeWitt County Wildflower association
picks wildflowers in the mornings and displays them (with labels showing scientific and common
names) in the DeWitt County Historical Museum.  Location is on the right side of the street, past
Hunt Elementary School,  midway between the first traffic light (Hunt Street) and the next light
(183/87 intersection ... McDonalds).  Opening date is the weekend before April 1st, make two trips!

Searching for and gathering wildflowers will need to become a family project.  Transportation and
chaperoning will need to be provided by parents or some other responsible adult.  This is another
of those family togetherness projects.  You must actively participate in collecting, identifying, drying,
and displaying your wildflowers.  You are on your honor to do at least 90 percent of the work involved
with your project.  Others may help or provide ideas such as "how to do" something, but it is your
project and should demonstrate your work.

The wildflowers must be displayed in a dried state.  The best way to do this is to have a flower
press, as described in class and researched on the internet, ... and dry in layers for at least two
weeks.  As you research the internet for ideas  pressing wildflowers, you will find several different
ideas.  The old fashioned press and time are still the best!   But you will have to find a method that
works for you and is okay with the chairperson of the household! 

The flower presses can be made from two pieces of plywood and two tie-down straps or more
elaborate with bolts and wing nuts as we discussed in class.  If  flower heads are thick, look for
directions on removing the back portion the thick part with a "cutting device" ... caution!  Look for
"how to dry and display 'thick flowers'".  Remember to dry and display the thick, usually composite,
flowers open and facing the viewer.  This is hard to do!  Some of the colors will fade very quickly.

How you design the final presentation is up to you.  We have discussed several ways of doing the final
presentation, but using a "photo album" type presentation works well. A three-hole ring binder with
plastic sheet protectors will also do nicely.  Later, either passed around can viewed by family members
and friends and kept around for years.  Get  a box of a hundred and split with classmembers to keep the
cost down.  There will be some expenses with this project, gasoline and time, but the rewards could be
great. 

It is best if each flower is displayed with a plain white sheet of paper in back of it to not take away from
any of the subtle colors in dried flowers.  A way to add some color to each page is to frame the page in
a pastel with the flower and attached leaves placed over white area, keep the botanical presentation
pages as simple as possible. 

As discussed in class, the flower should be cut right at ground level with leaves attached.  Long flower
stems will need to be folded, possibly even long leaves.  We found some flowers in a ditch between
Westhoff and Cheapside last April where we had to fold the flower stem three times  Don't cut, fold! 

Keep accurate records as to where and when you gather your wildflowers.  Take an inexpensive,
disposable 35mm or digital camera along to photograph the flowers in their native surroundings and
include one of these photos with an ID card on the presentation page for that wildflower.  The
identification card should be no larger than a 3"x5" card, hand printed by you using a black pin,
with common name(s), scientific name in this area, with your name, date, and location (at least what
part of county, but could possibly indicate pasture or roadway).

Label in the same manner as insects in the insect collection, a 3x5 or half a 3x5 card works nicely.

Usually:                     Common Name
                               Scientific Name
                                    Your Name
                    Nusery, Victoria County, Texas
                   (along US 87, 9 mi W of Victoria)         
                                  April 13, 2005      

Find some quiet country road in Victoria County or one of the six surrounding counties and park in
some safe location that is within walking distance of roadside wildflowers.  The state law on gathering
wildflowers in roadsides allows for gathering a few, BUT do not disturb or walk/drive thru patches of
wildflowers beyond that.  Don't get yourself (or others) arrested!!! You are responsible for knowing
( = learning) where you can and cannot legally collect wildflowers!  Flower bed and nurseries are NOT
considered "growing naturally in native areas".  Remember if you go to the roadsides, take a small
cooler with ice to keep your wildflowers "fresh" ... they wilt in a matter of minutes.

You will need a book on Texas wildflowers to help with the identifications.  (Have the books before
the flowers fade or have good photos that can be used late.)  Sometimes wildflower books can
be checked out from the county library, but they are in great command!  Grandparents might like
to give a book for Christmas!.  Get a classmate and see if there is enough money to purchase
one.  Here are a few that are good.

    Wildflowers of Texas by Geyata Ajilvsgi  Shearer Publishing  ;;$20
     A Field Guide: Texas Wildflowers by Campbell and Lynn Loughmiller  Univ of Tex Press   $16
     Wildflowers of Houston & Southeast Texas by John and Gloria Tveten   Univ of Tex Press  $22


Listen for directions in class as March and April move along. ...  ALWAYS listen for and to
directions and intructions in class AND follow them.

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For the expressed use of my seventh and eighth grade students at Victoria Christian School!
Other than for the use by my students, may not be reproducd.  This will always be
a work in progress, so check for updates.      Mr. A.
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Photos and website by Harlen E. and Altus Aschen
Copyright (c) 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005     Harlen E. Aschen

This page was last touched up on: May 10, 2005