Orto botanico di Padova

The Botanical Garden of Padua, Italian Orto Botanico di Padova, is the first and oldest botanical garden in the world, still located on its original site in Padua, Italy. It was founded in 1545 and is part of the University of Padua. He currently has about an area of ​​22,000 sqm with 6000 plant species and is known for its special collections and its historic building.

History

1533 founded Francesco Bonafede the study of pharmacology - then " Lectrum Simplicium " called at the University of Padua. The Botanical Garden of Padua was founded by the Senate of the Republic of Venice. It was built on the site of the Benedictine monastery of Santa Giustina, designed by Daniele Barbaro by the architect Andrea Moroni near the Basilica of Santa Giustina and is largely unchanged in its basic plan. 1554 usrsprüngliche the plant was completed. His first important role was the cultivation of medicinal plants ( Horto dei semplici ) and the provision of visual aids for training of students, should reliably distinguish the medicinal plants of similar looking species.

The plant collections have been continuously expanded with species from around the world, especially those with whom Venice engaged in trade. This Padua received the lead role in the introduction and study of exotic plants, supplemented with a herbarium and a scientific library. Seven years after its establishment, it included 1,500 plant species. 1565 here a lilac was first bred in Europe, 1568 for the first time in Europe sunflowers. The first potato in Europe was bred here.

Today, the establishment of training in biology and pharmacy students, research and preservation of rare species used. in the Botanical Garden 400 000 dried specimen copies are collected. Since 1997 the garden is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Plant

The oval plant has four gates from the 16th century that are entwined with wrought iron exotic plants. The concentric roads lead to geometrically landscaped flower beds around the fountain over. On the grounds of the botanical garden is a pharmacological museum and a library of writings from the 15th century to its development.

Special plants

By 1984 the garden housed a copy of the chaste tree ( Vitex agnus castus ), which is said to have existed at least since 1550. At present, the oldest plant a dwarf palm ( Chamaerops humilis var arborescens ), which was planted in 1585 and " Goethe Palm" is named because Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said in his "History of my botanical studies " 1817/1831; this palm is located in a small greenhouse in the Ortus Sphearicus, which also houses a 19 -meter-high Ginkgo of 1750 and a magnolia from the mid-17th century are believed to be the oldest specimens of this species in Europe. A very large plane tree in the arboretum is from 1680; it has a hollow trunk of a lightning strike.

Collections

Since there are only a few greenhouses, almost all plants are outdoors. 6000 plant species are shown currently cultured and sorted by systematic and phytogeographical point of view. The systematic division is primarily located in four major central beds. They are classified according to the system of Adolf Engler (Nomenclature of plants according to Engler ), ie the phylogenetic relationship of the plant families. Also, is still the medicinal plants department very significant. Each plant is marked by a sign with the scientific name and their most important medicinal effects. Recently there is a poisonous plant department, which is also mainly didactic goals is self-evident.

Special Collections:

• Carnivorous Plants
• Medicinal and poisonous plants.
• Plant species of the Euganean Hills, the TRIVENETO region: a collection of plant species from the immediate vicinity of Padua.
• Orchids
• Aquatic plants
• Mountain plants
• Mediterranean plant species

Representation of habitats

• Mediterranean maquis: Contains the typical coastal vegetation of the Mediterranean Basin, with a climate that is characterized by hot summers and mild winters. There are many thorny shrubs and creepers.
• Alpinum.
• Freshwater habitat.
• Succulent Plants: A Desert Habitat ( interesting in spring and summer).
• Orchid Greenhouse with plants from tropical rainforests.