Botanical expeditions

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Painting of Lewis and Clark navigating the lkower Columbia River by canoe in 1905
Lewis and Clark Expedition on the lower Columbia River
Charles Marion Russell, 1905

Botanical expeditions (sometimes called "Plant hunting") are scientific voyages designed to explore the flora of a particular region, either as a specific design or part of a larger expedition. A naturalist or botanist would be responsible for identification, description and collection of specimens. In some cases the plants might be collected by the person in the field, but described and named by a government sponsored scientist at a botanical garden or university. For example, species collected on the Lewis and Clark Expedition were described and named by Frederick Traugott Pursh.

While accounts of plant collection occur in antiquity, a scientific basis occurred during the Renaissance and was associated with the establishment of botanical gardens and the teaching of botany as a discipline. The practice of botanical expeditions reached a peak in the late 18th and during the 19th century with the systematic organisation of plants into taxonomic classifications. Plant collection has attracted a number of criticisms of exploitation and colonialism leading to the establishment of international regulations and safeguards.

Description

Illustration by native artist of Osbeckia, for Nathaniel Wallich’s Plantae Asiaticae Rariores, published in 1832
Osbeckia ternifolia from Wallich’s Plantae Asiaticae Rariores (1830-2)

Botanical expeditions have often been referred to as "Plant hunting" (or less commonly "botanomania").[1][2][3] They are mainly scientific journeys or voyages designed to explore the flora of a particular region. In some cases such an expedition could be specifically designed for exploring the flora, or be part of studying the overall natural history or geography of the region. A naturalist or botanist with the expedition would be responsible for identifying, describing and drawing or photographing the plants, collecting specimens using equipment such as a plant press or Wardian case, and identifying those of potential economic importantance.[4] On botanical expeditions funded by governments, the plants were often collected by the person in the field, but described and named by 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.[5]

Botanical expeditions have been driven by a number of motives, such as scientific discovery, economic incentives in terms of resources or for the

London Horticultural Society in 1824, with one estimate of survival in 1819, being one in a thousand. This problem was considerably improved by the development of the Wardian case in 1829.[7]

The plant collector’s job is to uncover the hidden beauties of the world, so that others may share his joy.
Frank Kingdon-Ward, From China to Hkamti Long, 1924.[8]

History

The systematic collection of plants dates from the

Tradescants.[12] Many of the most important expeditions took part in the late 18th and 19th centuries with the systematic organisation of plants into taxonomic classifications.[13][14] There were many dangers involved in plant collecting expeditions, and some ended tragically.[3]

Criticism

Plant hunting has been the subject of criticism, for its

Jesuit priest who arrived in China in 1582. Other collectors were diplomats and merchants who supplied the great European gardens.[15] Plant hunting was not necessarily entirely exploitative, as many used the opportunities to also explore, understand and learn from local cultures, such as Maria Sibylla (1647 – 1717), a German naturalist who worked in the Dutch colonies of South America, and David Douglas (1799 – 1834), perhaps best known for following up on Lewis and Clark's discoveries and for the Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii).[16] Other criticisms relate to failure to acknowledge the considerable contribution of local collaborators. Again, there were exceptions such as Sherriff and Ludlow who worked in the Himalayas in the 1930s and 1940s.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ Shteir 1990.
  2. ^ LaBouff 2018.
  3. ^ a b c Silvey 2015, p. 3.
  4. ^ Bleichmar 2012, p. 4.
  5. ^ Reveal 2008a.
  6. ^ Edwards 2021, pp. 13–14.
  7. ^ Edwards 2021, p. 14.
  8. ^ Edwards 2021, p. 17.
  9. ^ Edwards 2021, p. 8.
  10. ^ Janick 2007.
  11. ^ Edwards 2021, p. 11.
  12. ^ a b Burke 2014.
  13. ^ Mulligan & McHale 2020.
  14. ^ Edwards 2021, pp. 12, 16.
  15. ^ Edwards 2021, pp. 12–13.
  16. ^ Reveal 2008b.
  17. ^ Edwards 2021, p. 13.

Bibliography

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Articles
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