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Plant Hunters Atlas
" A refreshingly insightful history of plant introductions." - Roy Lancaster
Travel the world with extraordinary tales of the botanical discoveries that have shaped empires, built (and destroyed) economies, revolutionized medicine and advanced our understanding of science.
Circling the globe from Australia's Botany Bay to the Tibetan plateau, from the deserts of Southern Africa to the jungles of Brazil, this book presents an incredible cast of characters - dedicated researchers and reckless adventurers, physicians, lovers and thieves. Meet dauntless Scots explorer David Douglas and visionary Prussian thinker Alexander von Humboldt, the 'Green Samurai' Mikinori Ogisu and the intrepid 17th century entomologist Maria Sibylla Merian - the first woman known to have made a living from science.
Beautifully illustrated with over 100 botanical artworks from the archives of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, this absorbing book tells the stories of how plants have travelled across the world - from the missions of the Pharaohs right up to 21st century seed-banks and the many new and endangered species being named every year.
***
THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW is a world-famous research organization and a major international visitor attraction. It harnesses the power of its science, the rich diversity of its gardens and collections to unearth why plants and fungi matter to everyone. Its aspiration is to end the extinction crisis and help create a world where nature and biodiversity are protected, valued and managed sustainably.
Travel the world with extraordinary tales of the botanical discoveries that have shaped empires, built (and destroyed) economies, revolutionized medicine and advanced our understanding of science.
Circling the globe from Australia's Botany Bay to the Tibetan plateau, from the deserts of Southern Africa to the jungles of Brazil, this book presents an incredible cast of characters - dedicated researchers and reckless adventurers, physicians, lovers and thieves. Meet dauntless Scots explorer David Douglas and visionary Prussian thinker Alexander von Humboldt, the 'Green Samurai' Mikinori Ogisu and the intrepid 17th century entomologist Maria Sibylla Merian - the first woman known to have made a living from science.
Beautifully illustrated with over 100 botanical artworks from the archives of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, this absorbing book tells the stories of how plants have travelled across the world - from the missions of the Pharaohs right up to 21st century seed-banks and the many new and endangered species being named every year.
***
THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW is a world-famous research organization and a major international visitor attraction. It harnesses the power of its science, the rich diversity of its gardens and collections to unearth why plants and fungi matter to everyone. Its aspiration is to end the extinction crisis and help create a world where nature and biodiversity are protected, valued and managed sustainably.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published June 28, 2022
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April 25, 2026If you are looking for armchair travel with a bit of history and beautiful botanical illustrations, this one is for you! Some of my favourite places to visit were Madagascar, South Africa, Suriname, and Deshima Japan.
Filled with very cool plants like the Giant Malaysian Pitcher Plant, Living Stones and Peacock Flowers, it's useful to have google image search on hand.
And of course, the explorers themselves. Quite a few were female. Pharaoh Hatshepsut funded expeditions as far back as 1470 BCE and lined the avenue to her tomb with frankincense. I am intrigued by Maria Sibeylla Merian (1647-1717), who at 52 and recently divorced set off for Suriname. Lots more in the cast of characters!
Filled with very cool plants like the Giant Malaysian Pitcher Plant, Living Stones and Peacock Flowers, it's useful to have google image search on hand.
And of course, the explorers themselves. Quite a few were female. Pharaoh Hatshepsut funded expeditions as far back as 1470 BCE and lined the avenue to her tomb with frankincense. I am intrigued by Maria Sibeylla Merian (1647-1717), who at 52 and recently divorced set off for Suriname. Lots more in the cast of characters!
February 12, 2022
Fascinating and beautifully illustrated.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews