Botanist

Career

Appropriate level of study. Specialization is nice but isn't required.

It depends on the route taken. Those who teach tend to be looked down upon because they aren't in the field getting their hands dirty.

They help identify which flora are poisonous, and which aren't. They have identified several types of flora which have medicinal value.

Fieldwork Essentials:

Hand Lens: A magnifying lens (usually 10x magnification) for examining flowers, leaves, and other plant structures in detail.
Pressing Kit: Used to collect, preserve, and dry plant specimens for further study. This includes items like a plant press, drying paper, and straps.
Notebook and Pencils: For recording detailed observations, sketches, and data in the field. Waterproof options are ideal.
Collecting Bags: Durable bags for carrying collected plant material back from the field.
Pruning Shears or Secateurs: For carefully collecting plant parts without damaging the rest of the plant.

Identification and Analysis Tools:

Plant Press (mentioned above): While used for preservation, a well-pressed plant specimen can also be crucial for identification using field guides or herbarium collections.
Plant Keys and Guidebooks: These reference materials help identify plant species based on their characteristics.
Dissecting Kit: Contains scalpels, tweezers, razor blades, and needles for dissecting flowers, fruits, and other plant parts for closer examination.
Magnifying Lamp: Provides a strong light source and magnification for detailed analysis back in the lab.

Additional Tools (depending on specialization):

Rucksack: For carrying field equipment on hikes or expeditions.
Seed Collecting Kit: Small containers for collecting seeds for further study or propagation.
Soil Sampling Tools: Soil probes for collecting soil samples to analyze nutrient content and suitability for plant growth.
Data Loggers: Electronic devices for recording environmental data like temperature, humidity, and light levels around plants.
Microscope: Advanced botanists may utilize microscopes for detailed cellular analysis of plant tissues.