[Science News] – Step back into the 19th century: The hidden collection of Meise Botanic Garden

In 2013, Meise Botanic Garden began a journey to rediscover and showcase a unique part of its herbarium: a historic collection of economic botany. This collection is quite different from a typical set of pressed plants; it is an unusual treasury that bridges the gap between nature and human industry. A new publication now offers an extensive overview of the fascinating figures who assembled this heritage, revealing a world where science, exploration, and trade collided.

The collection comprises approximately 25,000 items, each telling a story of how 19th-century society viewed the natural world as a source of wealth and health. The materials are incredibly diverse: you will find wood samples, textile fibers, natural dyes, and tanning agents alongside "exudates" like gums, resins, waxes, and latex.

One of the most surprising features of this botanical collection is that it doesn't stop at plants. To the naturalists of the 19th century, "materia medica"—the substances used for medicine—encompassed the entire natural world. Consequently, the collection contains specimens of animal and mineral origin, such as fragments of "unicorn horn" (narwhal ivory), oyster pearls, lion claws, and even compounds of uranium and cobalt.

The collection is broadly organized into three historical subcollections, each representing a different era of scientific endeavor:

• The von Martius Collection (1821–1868): Formed by Carl von Martius, the acclaimed "father of palms," whose vast herbarium was the first major acquisition for the Botanic Garden.
• The State Botanic Garden Collection (1856–1958): Material gathered during the institution's time in Brussels, reflecting Belgium's growing interest in global agriculture and colonial resources.
• The van Heurck Collection (early 1800s–1876): A large and diverse private collection from Antwerp that includes rare pharmaceutical curiosities and industrial products.
  This heritage is a testament to an "intriguing history of collaborations". It was built by a global network of scientists, explorers, and independent collectors from all walks of life. Whether it was a Swiss consul in Brazil or a missionary in Suriname, these contributors were driven by a shared fascination with the diverse applications of plant-based resources.

Even today, these 150-year-old jars hold more than just historical value. This combined knowledge and dedicated efforts of these contributors have resulted in a collection that vividly showcases the diverse applications of primarily plant-based resources during that historical era. Even today, this knowledge has the potential to contribute to the exploration of novel or rediscovered applications for plants and plant-derived products.

Reference : Leyman, V. & Leliaert, F. (2025). Origins of and Key Contributors to the Economic Botany Collection of Meise Botanic Garden. Proceedings of the Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences (PRAOS), 3 (2) : 337-395.