Publications
“A Great Responsibility”: Biodiversity Crisis in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
By the late 1980s, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, had shifted its focus to biodiversity, becoming a global leader in conservation advocacy. This study traces how biodiversity emerged as a central concept within Kew's research, governance, and public outreach, highlighting its integration into institutional strategy. The research employs qualitative methods to analyze existing studies on environmental concepts, examining how Kew communicated the biodiversity crisis through one of the world's most influential botanic gardens. The findings underscore the significance of institutions like Kew in shaping environmental narratives and driving conservation efforts during a pivotal period.
The Relationships between the Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in Economic Botany
A two-century collaboration between the Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has significantly advanced the study and distribution of economically valuable plants. Despite differing original purposes, both institutions played pivotal roles in introducing and propagating exotic species, particularly those with economic importance. This research highlights their interconnected efforts in plant introductions, emphasizing their enduring impact on global economic botany. The study employs historical analysis to trace these relationships, providing insights into how institutional collaboration has shaped botanical science.
The type material in the David W. Mitchell myxomycete collection at the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew
A comprehensive analysis of the David W. Mitchell myxomycete collection at Kew reveals 58 critical type specimens, including holotypes, isotypes, paratypes, and other key materials. These represent 11 taxa authored or co-authored by Mitchell and 42 taxa from colleague exchanges, preserving essential nomenclature for myxomycete taxonomy. The study catalogs these specimens with detailed images, labels, origin data, and conservation status, while also compiling a list of Mitchell's nomenclatural proposals and publications. This work provides a foundational resource for myxomycete research, ensuring the integrity and accessibility of type material for future studies.
The colonial roots of botany – legacies of empire in the botanic gardens of Oxford and Kew
While botanic gardens such as Oxford and Kew have long been linked to colonial expansion, their public communication of this history remains superficial despite growing awareness among scientists about the need to acknowledge Indigenous peoples and places. This study reveals that colonial-era scientific practices persist in plant nomenclature even as institutions grapple with ethical reckoning. Through ethnographic fieldwork conducted in 2022–2023, researchers analyzed signage and guided tours to demonstrate how colonial legacies are only lightly addressed for visitors, despite internal efforts. The findings highlight a disconnect between institutional recognition of these issues and their public representation.
Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell at Kew Gardens
A study reveals the significant collaboration between Virginia Woolf and her sister, artist Vanessa Bell, in creating two versions of Woolf's hand-printed booklet, Kew Gardens. Published in 1919 and 1927 by the Hogarth Press, these editions feature Bell’s woodcuts that respond to Woolf’s blend of modernism and nostalgia, set within the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. The text and images reflect Roger Fry’s theories on modernist form, emphasizing illustrations as independent creative works rather than literal reflections of the text. This research highlights the interplay between literature and visual art in capturing the essence of a UNESCO-listed site through innovative artistic techniques.
Fortuitous Alignment: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the Sustainable Development Goals
Botanic gardens, including the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (Kew), are increasingly pivotal in addressing biodiversity loss and human well-being, particularly in urban areas. This study demonstrates that Kew's strategic alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through policy engagement, education, outreach, and scientific research significantly enhances its impact on global sustainability efforts. By translating SDG targets into actionable projects, Kew effectively contributes to high-level objectives, showcasing how a single organization can make meaningful progress toward these goals both locally and internationally.
Kew Gardens
A vivid literary depiction of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, captures the intricate beauty and diversity of its flora. The passage describes a hundred stalks rising from an oval flower-bed, each unfurling into heart-shaped or tongue-shaped leaves adorned with red, blue, or yellow petals marked by spots of color. This detailed observation highlights the botanical richness and aesthetic appeal of Kew Gardens, offering a poetic yet scientifically grounded representation of its plant life. The work employs descriptive language to convey the visual complexity and variability of the garden's vegetation, providing both an artistic and ecological perspective.
Garden Work: Prosaic Alightments in Modern Ecology and "Kew Gardens"
A hidden ecological epistemology rooted in women's botanical education emerges from Virginia Woolf's 'Kew Gardens,' challenging the male-dominated, speed-driven narratives of modern ecology. The study reveals how Woolf's prose mirrors the detailed, time-sensitive observations of women trained in British school gardens, offering an alternative to the aerial surveillance and photography dominant in 20th-century ecological research. By analyzing the gender dynamics within early British ecology, the research uncovers a marginalized yet significant scientific practice that resists Enlightenment modernity's emphasis on control and order.
Plant Diversity Conservation Challenges and Prospects—The Perspective of Botanic Gardens and the Millennium Seed Bank
Botanic gardens and seed banks, particularly those affiliated with Botanic Gardens Conservation International and the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew, play a pivotal role in conserving plant diversity and addressing global challenges. These institutions leverage living collections and seed banks to support wild plant conservation, agriculture, food security, restoration, and local livelihoods. The study highlights that while both approaches offer distinct advantages, they also have limitations that necessitate additional research, such as cryopreservation for 'exceptional species.' It emphasizes the importance of global networks in sharing data and plant material, enabling integrated conservation efforts that bridge in situ and ex situ strategies.
Queer Narrative Ecology in Margaret Fuller's "The Magnolia of Lake Pontchartrain" and Virginia Woolf's "Kew Gardens"
This study reveals how queer narrative ecology, a lens examining non-normative identities and relationships within natural settings, manifests in Margaret Fuller's 'The Magnolia of Lake Pontchartrain' and Virginia Woolf's 'Kew Gardens'. By analyzing these texts through an ecological framework that intersects with queer theory, the research uncovers subversive narratives that challenge traditional representations of nature and identity. The approach combines close reading, historical context, and theoretical analysis to demonstrate how these works employ botanical imagery to explore fluidity, desire, and marginalized perspectives. This insight contributes to a deeper understanding of how literature can both reflect and shape ecological consciousness, particularly in relation to queer experiences.
Conserving orthodox seeds of globally threatened plants ex situ in the Millennium Seed Bank, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK: the status of seed collections
A comprehensive review of orthodox seed collections from globally threatened plants stored at the Millennium Seed Bank, Kew, reveals that while these collections exhibit reasonable quality and physiological status, they face significant challenges. Only a third of taxa and one-fifth of collections contain over 5000 viable seeds, with many suffering from low genetic diversity due to limited sampling during initial harvests. Despite this, viable seeds generally maintain good germinability and viability post-storage, though average germination rates fall below 85%. The study analyzed 523 collections spanning 67 countries and 9 biogeographic regions, highlighting disparities between wild species—especially rare or threatened ones—and domesticated crops. It also identified suitable germination protocols for 165 taxa, offering practical insights for global conservation efforts.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Joseph Banks, a prominent figure at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is highlighted for his empiricist approach and adaptation of the Baconian method of investigative science. This method, foundational to modern scientific practices, emphasized observation and induction over theoretical speculation. Banks' commitment to applying scientific knowledge practically and his belief in 'progress' are central themes. The chapter also delves into his disinterest in contemporary architectural trends, such as neoclassical designs by Capability Brown, showcasing his unique perspective on landscape and architecture.
Tropical plants do not have narrower temperature tolerances, but are more at risk from warming because they are close to their upper thermal limits
Tropical plant species, contrary to the common assumption that they have narrower temperature tolerances, are actually more vulnerable to climate warming due to their proximity to upper thermal limits. A global analysis of 9,737 germination records from 1,312 plant species revealed no latitudinal gradient in temperature tolerance breadth. However, tropical plants face significant risks as projected temperatures by 2070 exceed their optimal or even maximum germination thresholds for over half of the studied species. In contrast, most species at latitudes above 45° are expected to benefit from warming, with environmental conditions aligning more closely with their optimal germination temperatures. This study challenges the conventional narrative on plant warming risk and highlights a critical mechanism underlying tropical plant vulnerability.
Kew Gardens and the Emergence of the School Museum in Britain, 1880–1930
Between 1880 and 1930, the Kew Museum of Economic Botany significantly influenced educational reform by supplying schools with botanical specimens for object-based learning. This initiative was highly popular, with demand exceeding supply, leading to alternative solutions being developed. The distribution of specimens extended Kew's ethos into classrooms, offering diverse curricular benefits from nature study to geography. The research suggests that these objects held additional meanings and uses beyond their intended educational purposes. The study also highlights the movement of museum expertise and practices across professional and institutional boundaries during this period, proposing new avenues for further exploration.
The composition of the aphid fauna (Insecta, Hemiptera) of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Aphid species of non-native origin have expanded their range in Europe, but the role of botanic gardens in this phenomenon was previously unexplored. This study identifies 94 taxa of Aphidomorpha at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK), including 20 alien species and nine new records for the site. Notably, Ericolophium holsti, an Asiatic aphid associated with Rhododendron spp., was documented in the UK for the first time in the field. The research also highlights that 20 of the identified species are serious pests capable of virus transmission. Conducted over twelve days in June 2017 across living plant collections, glasshouses, and nurseries, this inventory builds on earlier studies from the 1960s, providing insights into changes in aphid fauna composition and host range.
‘Beauty in the foreground, science behind the scenes’: families’ views of science learning in a botanic garden
Families primarily perceive botanic gardens, such as the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as aesthetically beautiful spaces rather than as venues for science learning. However, interpretive guidance can help them recognize and appreciate the scientific aspects of these environments. A study involving 24 families at Kew found that while families initially focused on the garden's beauty, interpretation linked science to the plants, enabling families to engage with science learning more effectively. This suggests that enhancing interpretive provision in botanic gardens could significantly improve visitors' understanding and appreciation of scientific concepts.
Capturing, protecting and restoring plant diversity in the UK: RBG Kew and the Millennium Seed Bank
Ex situ seed banking emerges as a vital strategy for preserving and restoring plant diversity, offering scientifically robust solutions to conservation challenges. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) and its Millennium Seed Bank in the UK exemplify this approach by providing high-quality, genetically diverse seeds of known origin, alongside expert data and facilities that overcome barriers in seed collection, production, and use. These resources support single-species recovery, reintroduction efforts, and large-scale habitat restoration. While challenges persist—such as ensuring genetic diversity to adapt to environmental changes—the study underscores the potential for seed banks to mobilize their resources effectively at landscape scales. This work highlights ex situ conservation as a cost-effective complement to in situ efforts, with broad implications for global biodiversity preservation.
The conservation value of germplasm stored at the Millennium Seed Bank, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK
The Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, houses one of the world's largest ex situ conservation programs for orthodox seed-bearing wild plants, encompassing 39,669 taxa from 189 countries and all nine biogeographic regions. A comprehensive analysis reveals that 74% of these collections possess significant natural capital or population value, including economic, ecological, social, cultural, or scientific importance. Additionally, over 20% are endemic to their respective regions. Since its inception in 2000, the MSB has distributed more than 11,182 seed samples globally for conservation, research, education, and display. The study identifies gaps in geographic representativeness, taxonomic diversity within large angiosperm families, and coverage of threatened taxa, underscoring the need for further analysis to optimize future collection efforts.
Past and present of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in artefacts
A collection of numismatic and philatelic artefacts, including medals, stamps, and commemorative coins, offers a visual narrative of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew's history. Key figures such as Sir Joseph Banks, Sir William Jackson Hooker, and Joseph Dalton Hooker are highlighted through these objects, showcasing their contributions to botany. The study provides detailed descriptions and images of these artefacts, including a Wedgwood medallion featuring Hooker’s portrait and stamps depicting Hooker. By analyzing these items, the paper reconstructs significant moments in Kew's past, offering insights into its botanical legacy and the evolution of its collections.
An Introduction to the Natural System of Botany
John Lindley's seminal work, 'An Introduction to the Natural System of Botany,' revolutionized botanical taxonomy by advocating for Jussieu's natural system over Linnaean classification. Published in 1830, this influential text aimed to provide a comprehensive systematic view of plant organization, affinities, and geographical distribution, while also highlighting their practical uses in medicine, arts, and rural economy. Lindley's approach was driven by the need for accessible botanical knowledge, avoiding reliance on expensive publications available only to the wealthy. His work remains significant in the history of taxonomy, reflecting his expertise and contributions as a botanist under Sir Joseph Banks.
Deep-plant: Plant identification with convolutional neural networks
Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) can identify plant species by learning unique features, particularly venation patterns of different orders, without relying on manually crafted data. This approach demonstrates superiority over existing methods when combined with various classifiers. Researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, tested this system using 44 plant species, employing a visualization technique based on deconvolutional networks to interpret the CNN's learned features. The study highlights CNNs' potential for unsupervised feature learning in plant identification, offering a more efficient and accurate alternative to traditional techniques.
Global Plants and Digital Letters: Epistemological Implications of Digitising the Directors' Correspondence at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Digitization of the Directors' Correspondence (DC) collection at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, reveals complex epistemological implications that challenge traditional views of knowledge production. The study highlights how digitization introduces both gains and losses in historical perspective, emphasizing the importance of examining selection processes from letter writing to database curation. It underscores the role of project digitizers' expertise in generating new knowledge through close reading and metadata creation, while cautioning against replicating extractive practices that may obscure historical disconnections. This analysis provides a nuanced framework for understanding digitization's impact on collection-based biodiversity conservation.
Managing risks from hazardous substances in the Economic Botany Collection at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: a pragmatic approach
A pragmatic risk assessment framework was developed to manage hazardous substances in the Economic Botanic Collection (EBC) at Kew, identifying over 1300 specimens with potential health risks. By categorizing hazards based on physical form and condition rather than taxonomy or detailed phytochemistry, researchers prioritized high-risk categories through generic assessments. This approach enabled the creation of an Outline Action Plan to mitigate risks for staff, volunteers, and visitors, balancing scientific rigor with practical conservation needs.
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew), houses the largest plant and fungal collections on Earth, playing a pivotal role in documenting global plant diversity and economic botany for over 250 years. A key achievement is its Millennium Seed Bank Project, which secured seeds of 10% of wild plant species across 54 countries by 2010, ensuring genetic conservation. Kew's Breathing Planet Program, launched in 2009, employs seven science-based strategies to drive global plant conservation and improve livelihoods. Through its work in taxonomy, economic botany, molecular phylogenetics, and restoration ecology, RBG Kew exemplifies institutional resilience, contributing significantly to both scientific knowledge and practical conservation efforts.
The Vegetable Kingdom
John Lindley's 'The Vegetable Kingdom' (1846, revised 1847) marks a significant advancement in plant taxonomy by systematically critiquing and transcending the outdated classification system of Linnaeus. Lindley's work introduces a refined framework that organizes the vegetable kingdom into classes and alliances, reflecting the progress of systematic botany at the time. Rooted in his early career collaboration with Sir Joseph Banks, this publication not only aims to acquaint British readers with international botanical advancements but also serves as an essential milestone in the evolution of plant taxonomy. Lindley's meticulous approach combines historical analysis with innovative classification, setting a new standard for botanical research.
Applied Ethnobotany
Applied Ethnobotany provides the first practical guide to sustainably managing wild plant species, crucial for billions who rely on them for building materials, fuel, food, medicine, and income. The manual bridges conservation, research, and local resource use through participatory methods, empowering communities to assess pressures on plant resources and implement strategies for their long-term availability. Supported by extensive illustrations and data, it offers actionable insights for conservationists, rural development practitioners, and park managers worldwide. Published in collaboration with WWF, UNESCO, and the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, this guide stands as an invaluable resource for those navigating the intersection of biodiversity conservation and human livelihoods.
The Wood Collection (Xylarium) Of The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew's Wood Collection (Xylarium) stands as a comprehensive archive of 34,314 wood specimens, originating from the 19th century and expanding through global expeditions, institutional transfers, and collaborations. This collection, housed in a purpose-built research store with an online database, serves as a valuable resource for plant anatomy research, historical studies, wood isotope analysis, biochemistry, and education. Its diverse origins—ranging from imperial institutions to aristocratic estates—and its integration of plant anatomy slides since the 1930s underscore its multifaceted utility in both scientific inquiry and educational contexts.
Utilizing a phylogenetic plant classification for systematic arrangements in botanic gardens and herbaria
A unified phylogenetic plant classification, developed by the Vascular Plant Classification Committee (VPCC), has emerged as a globally accepted framework for organizing vascular plant collections in botanic gardens and herbaria. This breakthrough addresses longstanding inconsistencies caused by disparate, outdated systems that hindered international research. The VPCC, formed in 2008 through collaboration between European and Australian botanical organizations, achieved consensus on family circumscriptions and linear sequences among six major institutions in 2009—a landmark scientific and political achievement. Adoption of this classification is now expanding across five continents, with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew leading efforts to reorganize extensive collections. The study underscores the need for dynamic, evolution-reflective sequences and outlines practical strategies for integrating taxonomic updates into existing systems.
A study of the iPhone app at Kew Gardens: Improving the visitor experience
A seamless user experience significantly enhances visitor satisfaction with digital tools at UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This study found that the 'Kew' iPhone app, launched by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 2011, improved exploration and engagement through location-specific features like seasonal recommendations, QR code readers for plant labels, and augmented reality browsers. However, technological hiccups disrupted this seamless experience, highlighting the importance of flawless functionality to meet visitor expectations. The research used audience surveys in October 2011 to evaluate user responses, offering insights into how mobile technology can be effectively integrated into museum settings to create more personalized and immersive visits.
Kew Gardens as a literary space
Kew Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of botanical exploration, has been recognized for its profound influence on literature. This study reveals how the gardens have served as a rich source of inspiration, shaping poetic and narrative expressions across centuries. By analyzing historical texts, economic records, and anthropological observations, the research demonstrates Kew's role in literary discourse, particularly through its depiction of exotic plants and colonial encounters. The approach combines garden history with ecocriticism to highlight how Kew Gardens transcends its botanical purpose, becoming a metaphor for cultural exchange and environmental narrative.
Sir Joseph Hooker's Collections at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker's legacy at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew was celebrated on December 9, 2011, marking nearly a century since his death. The event, attended by over 150 participants, highlighted Hooker's significant contributions to botanical science through a series of displays and presentations. Hooker's extensive collections, which include rare plants and specimens from global expeditions, remain pivotal in understanding biodiversity and plant taxonomy. The conference emphasized the enduring impact of his work on modern botany, showcasing his meticulous documentation and pioneering research methods that continue to influence scientific study.
The Evolving Role of Botanical Gardens
Botanical gardens, originally established as public spaces showcasing labeled plants, have significantly expanded their roles to include biodiversity conservation, research, education, and aesthetic refuge creation. They also serve as storage centers for long-term plant preservation. Despite this evolution, they face persistent funding challenges. Historically, botanical gardens began as physic gardens emphasizing medicinal plants and later became integral to trade during the Age of Discovery. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, stands out for its ambition to contain all known Earth's plants since the mid-18th century. This study highlights the multifaceted contributions of botanical gardens, from their historical significance in trade and beauty to their modern roles in conservation and education.
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