The botanical garden of Geneva.
The Geneva Botanical Garden: an exceptional scientific and natural heritage.
The botanical garden of Geneva, located on the shores of Lake Geneva, isone of the most important botanical gardens in Europe. Not only does it offer a rich diversity of plants from all over the world, but it has also played a crucial role in the advancement of botanical science. Its long history, marked by renowned botanists, makes it an essential institution for nature and science enthusiasts.
History and foundation.
The Geneva Botanical Garden was founded in 1817 by the botanist Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle, one of the most influential figures in the history of modern botany. His initial aim was to provide a space dedicated to the study and classification of plants within the framework of the brand-new Académie de Genève. Candolle, a pioneer in plant classification and the study of biogeography, greatly contributed to the Botanical Garden’ s scientific vocation.
The garden underwent several moves before finding its present location in 1904, under the impetus of its director , botanist Robert Chodat. Chodat, a specialist in the flora of the Andes and Swiss lakes , enriched the collections and enlarged the greenhouses. The site has continued to grow and modernize over the decades, establishing itself as a place of conservation, research and education.
Renownedbotanists.
In addition to Augustin-Pyramus de Candolle, several other key figures contributed to the history of the Geneva Botanical Garden. Candolle ‘s son, Alphonse de Candolle, continued his father’ s work and developed the phylogenetic classification of plants. Alphonse is also credited with codifying the rules of international botanical nomenclature , a pillar of plant classification still in force today.
Another notable name is John Briquet, director of the garden from 1906 to 1931. Briquet was an expert on Mediterranean and Alpine plants, and played a key role in the development of Switzerland’s of Switzerland’ s native plant collections. He is also famous for his work on the flora of Corsica Corsica and for revising numerous plant families.
The Russian botanist Constantin von Berckheim also left his mark by enriching the collection with rare plants from Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Remarkable collections .
Geneva’ s botanical garden covers an area of 28 hectares and is home to over 16,000 different plant species, divided into various thematic sections. One of the most fascinating sections is the alpine collection. It features plants endemic to the Swiss mountains and other mountain ranges around the world. Visitors can observe edelweiss and saxifrages in conditions that faithfully reproduce their natural habitats.
The garden is also famous for its tropical and subtropical greenhouses. These greenhouses are home to rare exotic plants , such as orchids from Southeast Asia, tree ferns from Latin America and carnivorous plants from tropical swamps, tree ferns from Latin America and carnivorous plants from tropical swamps. Some of the species presented in these greenhouses are critically endangered in their natural environment , making the garden an important player in conservation.
Among the rarities on display are specimens of “Amorphophallus titanum”, an Indonesian plant known for producing the largest inflorescence in the world and a particularly unpleasant odor when it blooms. This plant, also known as the ” corpse flower “, attracts many curious onlookers during its rare blooms.
Herbarium and library.
In addition to living plants, the Geneva Botanical Garden houses one of the world’s largest herbariums. This herbarium, comprising over six million specimens, is a veritable goldmine for botanical researchers. It contains dried plants collected since the 18th century, and is constantly being enriched thanks to international scientific collaboration. It also boastsa library containing over 200,000 works, some dating back several centuries, devoted to botany and the natural sciences.
Conservation and education.
The botanical garden does more than just showcase rare and beautiful plants. It plays an essential role in the conservation of endangered plant species. The garden actively participates in international plant protection programs, in particular through its seed banks, where the seeds of many endangered species are stored.
Education is also a key part of the Geneva Botanic Garden ‘ s mission. The garden offers a wide range of activities for schools , guided tours, and workshops to raise public awareness of the importance of biodiversity and the preservation of plant species. Temporary exhibitions on a variety of themes, from the evolution of plants to interactions between species, allow you to discover botany from a new angle.
The Geneva Botanic Garden is an international center for research, conservation and education. A walk along its paths reveals not only the beauty of its plants, but also the immense wealth ofa scientific heritage built up over the centuries. Thanks to the involvement of visionary botanists such as Candolle, Briquet and many others, Geneva’s botanical garden continues to thrive, playing a major role in understanding and preserving the world’s biodiversity.
Geneva (Switzerland) – October 2024
