Éden domesticado. A rede Luso-Brasileira de Jardins Botânicos, 1790-1820

Abstract

This paper focuses on the network of plant material exchanges maintained by the Portuguese Crown between the decades of 1790 and 1820, a period that encompasses the foundation of botanical gardens in Luso-Brazilian territory. Gardens examined here include those of Grão-Pará, Cayenne, Rio de Janeiro and Olinda, the operation of which represented the first initiative by the Portuguese Crown in institutionalizing scientific research overseas, following the agriculture-centered policies of the late 18^th century. This network demonstrates not only a remarkable ability of articulation, first originating from Lisbon and later from Rio de Janeiro, but also the pragmatic way the Natural Sciences were mobilized for the benefit of the Portuguese Empire.