Botanical expeditions: Difference between revisions
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A '''botanical expedition''' is a [[science|scientific]] journey or voyage designed to explore the [[flora]] of a particular region. The expedition could be specifically designed for exploring the flora, or this could have been a part of studying the [[natural history]] of the region. A naturalist or [[botany|botanist]] was charged with drawing and describing the flora, collecting specimens of unknown plants in a [[plant press]], and identifying potential economically important plants.<ref>Visible Empire: Botanical Expeditions and Visual Culture in the Hispanic Enlightenment, Daniela Bleichmar, University of Chicago Press, 2012</ref> On botanical expeditions funded by governments, the plants were often collected by the person in the field, but described and named by a government sponsored scientists at botanical gardens and universities. For example, many of the species collected on the [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] were described and named by [[Frederick Traugott Pursh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plantsystematics.org/reveal/pbio/LnC/pursh.html |title=Frederick Traugott Pursh (1774-1820) |publisher=Plantsystematics.org |access-date=2013-08-29}}</ref> |
A '''botanical expedition''' is a [[science|scientific]] journey or voyage designed to explore the [[flora]] of a particular region. The expedition could be specifically designed for exploring the flora, or this could have been a part of studying the [[natural history]] of the region. A naturalist or [[botany|botanist]] was charged with drawing and describing the flora, collecting specimens of unknown plants in a [[plant press]], and identifying potential economically important plants.<ref>Visible Empire: Botanical Expeditions and Visual Culture in the Hispanic Enlightenment, Daniela Bleichmar, University of Chicago Press, 2012</ref> On botanical expeditions funded by governments, the plants were often collected by the person in the field, but described and named by a government sponsored scientists at botanical gardens and universities. For example, many of the species collected on the [[Lewis and Clark Expedition]] were described and named by [[Frederick Traugott Pursh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plantsystematics.org/reveal/pbio/LnC/pursh.html |title=Frederick Traugott Pursh (1774-1820) |publisher=Plantsystematics.org |access-date=2013-08-29}}</ref> |
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The systematic collection of plants dates from the [[Renaissance]] although accounts of organised collection date back as far as the [[Pharaoh]]s of 2000 BCE who illustrated plants and trees they found on their military campaigns abroad. Later, [[Alexander the Great]] (356–323 BCE) would bring back plants from his expeditions, increasing the level of botanical knowledge of his time, and establishing the [[Silk Road|Silk Road]]s between the [[Far East]] and Europe. Following the [[Fall of Constantinople]] in 1453, the emphasis shifted to maritime routes of exploration.{{sfn|Edwards|2021|p=8}}{{sfn|Janick|2007}} |
The systematic collection of plants dates from the [[Renaissance]] although accounts of organised collection date back as far as the [[Pharaoh]]s of 2000 BCE who illustrated plants and trees they found on their military campaigns abroad. Later, [[Alexander the Great]] (356–323 BCE) would bring back plants from his expeditions, increasing the level of botanical knowledge of his time, and establishing the [[Silk Road|Silk Road]]s between the [[Far East]] and Europe. Following the [[Fall of Constantinople]] in 1453, the emphasis shifted to maritime routes of exploration.{{sfn|Edwards|2021|p=8}}{{sfn|Janick|2007}} The Renaissance brought a new understanding of plants fro study of ancient texts, in particular those of [[Aristotle]] and [[Theophrastus]].{{sfn|Edwards|2021|p=9}} leading to not only collection, but the establishment of [[botanical garden]]s and the publication of [[herbal]]s that described the plants. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 21:24, 28 October 2022
A botanical expedition is a scientific journey or voyage designed to explore the flora of a particular region. The expedition could be specifically designed for exploring the flora, or this could have been a part of studying the natural history of the region. A naturalist or botanist was charged with drawing and describing the flora, collecting specimens of unknown plants in a plant press, and identifying potential economically important plants.[1] On botanical expeditions funded by governments, the plants were often collected by the person in the field, but described and named by a government sponsored scientists at botanical gardens and universities. For example, many of the species collected on the Lewis and Clark Expedition were described and named by Frederick Traugott Pursh.[2]
The systematic collection of plants dates from the Renaissance although accounts of organised collection date back as far as the Pharaohs of 2000 BCE who illustrated plants and trees they found on their military campaigns abroad. Later, Alexander the Great (356–323 BCE) would bring back plants from his expeditions, increasing the level of botanical knowledge of his time, and establishing the Silk Roads between the Far East and Europe. Following the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the emphasis shifted to maritime routes of exploration.[3][4] The Renaissance brought a new understanding of plants fro study of ancient texts, in particular those of Aristotle and Theophrastus.[5] leading to not only collection, but the establishment of botanical gardens and the publication of herbals that described the plants.
References
- ^ Visible Empire: Botanical Expeditions and Visual Culture in the Hispanic Enlightenment, Daniela Bleichmar, University of Chicago Press, 2012
- ^ "Frederick Traugott Pursh (1774-1820)". Plantsystematics.org. Retrieved 2013-08-29.
- ^ Edwards 2021, p. 8.
- ^ Janick 2007.
- ^ Edwards 2021, p. 9.
Bibliography
- Edwards, Ambra (2021). The Plant-Hunter's Atlas: A World Tour of Botanical Adventures, Chance Discoveries and Strange Specimens. Quercus Publishing, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. ISBN 978-1-5294-1012-9.
- Janick, Jules (April 2007). "Plant Exploration: From Queen Hatshepsut to Sir Joseph Banks" (PDF). HortScience. 42 (2): 191–196.