Plant Hunters in Australia

Since the first collections by naturalists Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander on captain Cook's voyage, Australia has been a fascinating destination for botanists. A new book, Herbarium by Robyn Stacey & Ashley Hay (Cambridge University Press) chronicles the history of the National Herbarium of New South Wales and the plant hunters who collected the specimens housed there.

In the early days, botanical collecting in Australia was a challenging and risky venture. Some botanists did not return from expeditions into the unmapped territory. Others escaped dangers, but returned without their collections.

Many of the herbarium specimens from early expeditions were sent to Europe. An Australian national herbarium did not form until the late 19th century.

Stories from the adventuresome 230-year history of Australian botanical collection are related in the new book, illustrated with photos of specimens from the National Herbarium of New South Wales.

Links:

• Pressed to Impress from Telegraph Group Limited


• Herbarium and Services from Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney, Australia


• The Botanical Discovery of Australia from Australian National Botanic Gardens

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 4:14 PM on March 14, 2005