Feature: predominant dimensionality

Many decorative dried botanicals have been modified to some extent from their original form. At a minimum, the drying process often significantly alters the original shape of the item. Therefore, please note that this feature is intended to describe the specimen in its current, dried form, not how it would have been originally. So, due to the variablilty inherent in the material, it is recommended that the user maintain a certain degree of flexibility in the selection of states. If you are not sure whether your specimen would be considered two-or three-dimensional, you may wish to skip this feature to avoid excluding your specimen.

Two dimensional specimens will lay flat on a surface. They may have some thickness, but overall, will be flattened. Note that leaves are generally considered two-dimensional unless dramatically curled. Some examples of two-dimensional entities:

 

 

 

 

Three dimensional specimens will not lay completely flat on a surface or will have some significant structural detail. Specimens considered three-dimensional may include items that would be two-dimensional when fresh but curl upon drying. Some examples of three-dimensional entities:

 

 

 

 

Some entities are variable enough that they may be either two- or three-dimensional, such as these:

 

 

 

 

Keep in mind, the term "predominant" is key - for instance a winged seed may have frayed edges that do not lay flat, but if the seed is predominantly flat, it will be considered two-dimensional. Similarly, as mentioned above, a fruit slice may be flat, but if it curls in its dried condition, it will be considered three-dimensional.