Botanical Gardens: Role and Features

Jackson (1999) states that a botanic garden is an institution that has a documented collection of living plants. It can be used for scientific research, conservation, education, and display. Luca Ghini, an Italian botany professor, established the first garden dedicated to medicinal plants (A.D. 1290-1556). This garden was also known as a “physics” garden. This belief was based on God’s creation of all plants for human use. It was the need to understand the therapeutic uses of plants that led to the creation of the physic garden. These early physic gardens were the precursors to modern botanic gardens.

A botanical garden is basically a collection of living plants that are kept alive for pure and practical purposes. It serves two purposes: it is an ex-situ conservation area and a place where economically endangered plants can be displayed for research and education. The public parks and gardens serve as places for recreation and aesthetic beauty. The Botanic Garden houses a living collection of plants, which is organized and maintained according to a scientific method that includes accurate taxonomic identification. Every plant in the Botanic Gardens is labelled with its botanical and scientific names as well as its family.

Features of a good botanical garden:

1. The importance of afforestation
2. Evolution of plant cultivation
3. Horticultural practices for the layman
4. It provides guides for us to use in the garden to find plants that we like

Role of the botanical gardens:

1. Rio-de-Janeiro, June 1992, hosted the U.N. Convention on Environment and Development. This led to the signature of the “Convention on Biodiversity” in April 2002 by 187 countries. The importance of botanic gardens has been highlighted in as many as 10 articles to the CBD. These articles are important for the development of “Global Strategies for Conservation”. This is an important role for botanic gardens
2. Scientifically cultivate and maintain plants of scientific interest
3. The world’s vegetation is based on geographic characteristics (i.e. Himalayan flora, Alpine flora )
4. Conserve species and keep plants in danger of extinction
5. Plant germplasm collection
6. Assist in research centres in various fields
7. Use preserved and live plants to facilitate taxonomic research
8. Encourage educational programs and research in experimental botany. It also encourages ornamental horticulture, and other fields
9. Material exchange

Important botanical gardens:

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (England), Indian Botanical Garden, Howrah (India), National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow (India), and Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden are all well-known botanical gardens.

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (London): This garden is located on the banks of the River Thames in London, UK. It covers more than 200 acres and is well-planned. It is considered one of the most important attractions in the world. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew is an internationally renowned institute. It boasts the best-equipped laboratories as well as a large collection of rare plants. Sir William Chambers, Sir John Hill, published “Hortus Kewensis”, a catalogue listing the plants that were grown in this garden during their time.