The Great Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis) Caper
The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, have been instrumental in many significant plant discoveries and contributions to botanical science. Here are some notable early examples:
In the late 19th century, Kew played a crucial role in the global rubber industry. Henry Wickham smuggled rubber tree seeds from Brazil to Kew in 1876. These seeds germinated, and the resulting seedlings were sent to British colonies in Asia, particularly Sri Lanka and Malaysia, where they established the world's first commercial rubber plantations. This transfer effectively broke the Brazilian monopoly on rubber production and revolutionized the global rubber industry.
Henry Alexander Wickham (1846-1928) was a British explorer and adventurer who played a pivotal role in the global rubber industry. Born in Hampstead, London, Wickham displayed an early fascination with exploration and natural sciences. In 1876, driven by both curiosity and the promise of adventure, Wickham embarked on an expedition to the Amazon basin. During this journey that he achieved his most significant and controversial accomplishment: the smuggling of 70,000 rubber tree seeds (Hevea brasiliensis) out of Brazil to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. At the time, Brazil held a monopoly on the production & profit from natural rubber, a valuable commodity essential for the burgeoning industrial world.
Wickham's daring operation to spread the wealth involved transporting the seeds on a ship named the SS Amazonas, under the guise of them being a consignment of "exotic plants." Upon arrival in Britain, the seeds were successfully germinated at Kew, and the resulting seedlings were later distributed to British colonies in Asia, including Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and Malaya (now Malaysia). This transfer effectively broke Brazil's monopoly on rubber and laid the foundation for the development of the rubber plantations in Southeast Asia, which would go on to dominate the global rubber market.
Wickham's actions, while celebrated in Britain for their economic impact, were viewed as an act of biopiracy by the Brazilian government, as it significantly undermined Brazil's rubber industry. Despite this controversy, Wickham was knighted in 1920 for his contributions to the British Empire's economy. He spent his later years continuing his work in tropical agriculture and writing about his adventures. Wickham's legacy is a testament to the profound and often contentious impact that individual actions can have on global industries and economies. He passed away in 1928, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with both innovation and ethical debate.
The Discovery of the 2,000 year old Welwitschia mirabilis
Welwitschia mirabilis is an extraordinary plant endemic to the Namib Desert. It was first described by the Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitsch, and Kew botanists played a vital role in studying and classifying this unique species. The plant, which can live for over a thousand years, is renowned for its two long leaves that continue to grow throughout its lifetime.
Friedrich Welwitsch (1806-1872) was an Austrian botanist renowned for his discovery and description of the extraordinary plant, Welwitschia mirabilis. Born on February 25, 1806, in Maria Saal, Carinthia, Welwitsch initially studied medicine at the University of Vienna before shifting his focus to botany, influenced by the prominent botanist Stephan Endlicher. After completing his studies, he worked as a private tutor and assistant to various botanists, allowing him to deepen his knowledge and experience in plant science.
In 1839, Welwitsch embarked on a significant botanical expedition to the Azores, where he conducted extensive research on the islands' flora. His success in the Azores led to further opportunities, and in 1853, he was appointed as the government botanist in Angola, then a Portuguese colony. It was in Angola, in 1859, that Welwitsch made his most famous discovery – the Welwitschia mirabilis. This remarkable plant, endemic to the harsh Namib Desert, captivated Welwitsch with its unique morphology and extraordinary longevity. Welwitschia mirabilis is characterized by its two long, strap-like leaves that grow continuously throughout its lifespan, which can exceed a thousand years.
Welwitsch meticulously documented his findings and sent specimens to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, where they were studied and classified by prominent botanists such as Joseph Dalton Hooker. The plant was named in honor of Welwitsch, recognizing his work in Angola also resulted in the collection of numerous plant specimens, many of which were new to science.
Friedrich Welwitsch died in London on October 20, 1872, but his legacy endures through the unique plant that bears his name and his contributions to the field of botany, particularly in the study of African flora.
The botanist who studied Welwitsch's amazing Angola plant discovery was Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817-1911), a preeminent British botanist and explorer, known for his extensive contributions to plant science. Born on June 30, 1817, in Halesworth, Suffolk, Hooker was the son of Sir William Jackson Hooker, the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Hooker was educated at the University of Glasgow, where he earned his medical degree in 1839.
His early career was marked by his participation in the Antarctic expedition of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror from 1839 to 1843, during which he served as assistant surgeon and botanist. This voyage, led by Sir James Clark Ross (1800-1862), allowed Hooker to study the flora of the Southern Ocean. They would spend 3 separate seasons in the Antarctic before heading home to England . His expedition confirmed the existence of Antarctica, and charted a large stretch of its coastline. As well, his botanist William Jackson Hooker, produced the Flora Antarctica, a book still in use today as a reference on Antarctic plants.
Upon returning from the Antarctic, Hooker embarked on several significant botanical expeditions. In 1847, he traveled to the Himalayas and India, spending three years collecting plants and making detailed observations. His findings were published in the "Himalayan Journals" (1854) and greatly expanded scientific knowledge of the region's flora. In 1860, he journeyed to Syria and Palestine, furthering his research on plant geography.
Hooker's career at Kew Gardens began in 1855 when he was appointed assistant director under his father. After his father's death in 1865, Hooker succeeded him as director, a position he held until 1885. During his tenure, Hooker transformed Kew into a leading center for botanical research and education. He oversaw the expansion of the gardens, the establishment of the Jodrell Laboratory, and the publication of the "Index Kewensis," a comprehensive catalog of plant names.
One of Hooker's most notable scientific achievements was his collaboration with Charles Darwin. Hooker was an early supporter of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection and provided critical botanical evidence that supported the theory. Their correspondence and discussions were instrumental in the development of evolutionary biology.
Throughout his career, Hooker was knighted in 1877, awarded the Royal Medal of the Royal Society in 1854, and served as its president from 1873 to 1878. Hooker's extensive publications include "Flora Antarctica" (1844-1847), "Flora Tasmaniae" (1853-1859), and "Genera Plantarum" (1862-1883), co-authored with George Bentham.
Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker passed away on December 10, 1911, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential British botanists of the 19th century.
