The World of Plants in Renaissance Tuscany

Sixteenth-century Tuscany emerged as a European hub for the study of medicinal plants, driven by the Medici Grand Dukes' patronage and personal interest. This period marked a shift from apothecaries' monopoly to academic inquiry, where learned physicians cultivated and observed plants in wild settings and newly established botanical gardens. The study reveals how plants transitioned from therapeutic significance to being studied for their intrinsic properties, laying foundational work for the science of botany. Additionally, it explores the impact of New World flora on existing botanical knowledge, contributing to early attempts at plant taxonomy.

Bellorini, C. (2016). The World of Plants in Renaissance Tuscany. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315551395