History of taxonomic research in Singapore

Singapore Botanic Gardens holds one of the highest plant collection densities globally, with its rich botanical history rooted in early expeditions and systematic research. The study highlights that the first potential research-oriented collections may date back to 1789, possibly by Archibald Menzies during his expedition aboard the Prince of Wales. Later, Christopher Smith's 1796 collections from Pulau Senang (then Barn Island) mark some of the earliest documented botanical efforts in Singapore. The research traces the evolution of plant taxonomy in Singapore through key collectors, their contributions, and seminal publications, emphasizing the importance of extensive fieldwork and herbarium collections in understanding regional plant diversity.

Middleton, D. J., & Turner, I. M. (2019). History of taxonomic research in Singapore. Flora of Singapore Vol. 1 Introduction, 15–36. https://doi.org/10.26492/fos1.2019-03