title: Preparation of samples for leaf architecture studies, a method for mounting cleared leaves.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several recent waves of interest in leaf architecture have shown an expanding range of approaches and applications across a number of disciplines. Despite this increased interest, examination of existing archives of cleared and mounted leaves shows that current methods for mounting, in particular, yield unsatisfactory results and deterioration of samples over relatively short periods. Although techniques for clearing and staining leaves are numerous, published techniques for mounting leaves are scarce. •
  
  
  RESULTS
  Here we present a complete protocol and recommendations for clearing, staining, and imaging leaves, and, most importantly, a method to permanently mount cleared leaves. •
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mounting protocol is faster than other methods, inexpensive, and straightforward; moreover, it yields clear and permanent samples that can easily be imaged, scanned, and stored. Specimens mounted with this method preserve well, with leaves that were mounted more than 35 years ago showing no signs of bubbling or discoloration.
authors.affiliation: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10458-5126 USA.
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vasco
authors.affiliation: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10458-5126 USA.
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thadeo
authors.affiliation: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10458-5126 USA.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Conover
authors.affiliation: The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10458-5126 USA.
authors.forename: Douglas C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Daly
keywords: Caroplastic; leaf anatomy; leaf architecture; taxonomy; venation patterns