The Wardian Case: How a Simple Box Moved Plants and Changed the World

by Luke Keogh

Roses, jasmine, fuchsia, chrysanthemums, and rhododendrons bloom in gardens across the world, and yet many of the most common varieties have roots in Asia. How is this global flowering possible? In 1829, surgeon and amateur naturalist Nathaniel Bagshaw Ward placed soil, dried leaves, and the pupa of a sphinx moth into a sealed glass bottle, intending to observe the moth hatch. But when a fern and meadow grass sprouted from the soil, he accidentally discovered that plants enclosed in glass containers could survive for long periods without watering. After four years of experimentation in his London home, Ward created traveling glazed cases that would be able to transport plants around the world. Following a test run from London to Sydney, Ward was proven correct: the Wardian case was born, and the botanical makeup of the world’s flora was forever changed.
 
In our technologically advanced and globalized contemporary world, it is easy to forget that not long ago it was extremely difficult to transfer plants from place to place, as they often died from mishandling, cold weather, and ocean salt spray. In this first book on the Wardian case, Luke Keogh leads us across centuries and seas to show that Ward’s invention spurred a revolution in the movement of plants—and that many of the repercussions of that revolution are still with us, from new industries to invasive plant species. From the early days of rubber, banana, tea, and cinchona cultivation—the last used in the production of the malaria drug quinine—to the collecting of beautiful and exotic flora like orchids in the first great greenhouses of the United States Botanic Garden in Washington, DC, and England’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the Wardian case transformed the world’s plant communities, fueled the commercial nursery trade and late nineteenth-century imperialism, and forever altered the global environment.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Nature

288 pages, Hardcover

First published June 25, 2020

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating investigation of a lost means of transportation of goods. I applaud Keogh for his in-depth research and tenacious delving into the particulars of moving plants around the world. His being from Australia--a land invaded by various imported flora and fauna--definitely informs his interest in the subject. His end-of-book take on colonialism feels a little like hit-and-run arguing and crushed in at the end. (The book's included typos might suggest the industry's increased dependence on computer editing instead of careful line-by-line care by a person.) I would have appreciated more plants' common names associated with the many Latin ones given in the book, but I am thankful to have read it and learned more about the efforts to utilize and beautify--and subsequently save--many different plant species.

[Lee May · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptionally well researched book for Naturalists and those who seek to understand the beginnings of our modern day life and capitalist society.

Whilst reading this book I spent many moments reflecting, in awe on what was achieved and what could have been.

The Wardian Case is a rare read where the Author encourages contemplation of history defining moments rather than forcing his own arguments and position. A welcomed pleasure.

[RuBisCO Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great jaunt through an interesting part of botanical history. It intertwines with a lot of other great reads but did get slightly repetitive. In the end it inspired me to build my own Wardian Case from some of the older plans.

[Amanda Witt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting read, describing a case (box) that was used to transport plants around the world in the days when trips took months on a ship and other limitations were in place.

[Salve58 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read! Loved learning about this part of history. For fans Charles Mann’s 1493 https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/sho...

[Stefan R-S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super interesting glance at an important chapter in the history of botany, colonialism, and agriculture. It's hard to overstate the impact of Wardian cases and the author tells their story compellingly. One of the best popular science books I've read.