Empire of Plants: From Kew Gardens to Botany Bay
Goalhanger Podcast, Episode 223
Hosts: William Dalrymple and Anita Anand
Release Date: January 23, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 223 of Empire, titled "Empire of Plants: From Kew Gardens to Botany Bay," hosts William Dalrymple and Anita Anand delve into the intricate relationship between botany and the rise of the British Empire. Exploring the origins, influences, and lasting impacts of imperial botanic gardens, the episode unpacks how plants were not just passive elements of nature but active agents in shaping empires and societies.

Botanic Gardens and the Foundations of Empire

The episode opens with a discussion on the genesis of botanic gardens, contrasting royal gardens and physic gardens. Dalrymple emphasizes, “The focus of this series is going to be the way that botanic gardens became collections of imperial plants… how that botany was exploited in the building of empire” (04:22).

Royal vs. Physic Gardens

Anand highlights the competitive nature among royals to showcase international connections through their gardens: “these are what the royals vying with each other to, you know, sort of show how very international they were” (04:54). Dalrymple adds that botanic gardens featured diverse architectural styles, symbolizing global reach and exoticism (05:05).

Historical Context

Tracing back to the 1500s, the hosts discuss the Arab contributions to horticulture and how European empire builders expanded upon these foundations, incorporating plants from across the globe into their imperial networks (05:25).

Joseph Banks and the Endeavour Voyage

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Joseph Banks, portrayed as a pivotal figure in imperial botany.

Banks' Voyage on the Endeavour

Dalrymple recounts Banks' participation in Captain James Cook's 1768 voyage aboard the Endeavour, emphasizing his extensive plant collections: “They collected 30,000 samples” (13:47). The naming of Botany Bay after their botanical pursuits underscores the intertwining of exploration and plant collection (14:12).

Impact on Colonization

Anand connects Banks' botanical work to broader colonial actions, questioning whether his enthusiasm for plants influenced decisions like the deportation of criminals to Australia: “do we have him to thank for subsequent deportations of criminals to Australia?” (14:31).

Economic Botany and Imperial Economics

The discussion shifts to the evolution of botanic gardens into centers of economic botany, with Kew Gardens as the focal point.

Linnaeus and Plant Classification

Dalrymple explains Carl Linnaeus' revolutionary system for classifying plants based on sexual reproduction, facilitating the organization of diverse botanical specimens from the empire’s vast territories (06:55).

Economic Implications

Anand and Dalrymple explore how economic botany became integral to the British economy. For instance, the introduction of cinchona plants, which produced quinine, was crucial for sustaining European presence in Africa by combating malaria: “cinchona is the bark that produced quinine, which in turn enabled Europeans to survive in West Africa” (18:08).

Botanical Commodities and Imperial Trade

Breadfruit and the Bounty Mutiny

Banks' initiative to cultivate breadfruit as a sustainable food source for enslaved populations led to the infamous Mutiny on the Bounty. Dalrymple states, “...and he thought we could set up breadfruit plantations” (15:56), while Anand discusses the resistance from enslaved individuals who viewed breadfruit with disdain: “they saw it as fit only for feeding pigs” (16:34).

Rubber’s Role in Empire

The episode also covers the introduction of rubber cultivation in Malaya, highlighting the brutal conditions faced by indigenous populations: “many uncontacted Indians are descendants of the survivors of that time who fled into remote areas” (29:40). The establishment of rubber plantations exemplifies the dark side of economic botany, linking plant exploitation to violence and oppression.

Kew Gardens Today: Decolonizing the Imperial Legacy

Modern Controversies

Anand and Dalrymple discuss Kew Gardens' contemporary efforts to address its imperial past. The institution’s manifesto for change, aiming to decolonize its collections and narratives, has sparked debate: “they are doing lots of positive work… these are academics who want to have open discussions” (35:49).

Cultural and Ethical Reflections

Dalrymple reflects on the duality of botanical beauty and colonial exploitation: “there was great beauty and incredible innovation, but at the same time there's colonization, vicious war, torture, espionage, slavery and indenture” (38:43). This tension underscores the complex legacy of botanic gardens as both centers of scientific advancement and instruments of imperial power.

Mariana North and Artistic Contributions

The episode introduces Mariana North, an artist whose contributions to Kew Gardens reflect the cultural dimensions of imperial botany.

North’s Artistic Legacy

Dalrymple mentions North’s unique and vibrant paintings, contrasting with the scientific illustrations typical of botanic collections: “they're quite garish… like fantasy paintings that you'd expect in Lewis Carroll” (27:59). North’s works add an artistic layer to Kew’s botanical narrative, illustrating the aesthetic appreciation of imperial botany.

Legacy and Ethical Implications

Interconnected Histories

The hosts emphasize that understanding the historical context of botany enriches contemporary appreciation: “I mean, completely...” (38:43). The episode argues that the beauty of botanical gardens is inextricably linked to their imperial histories, urging listeners to recognize both the aesthetic and ethical dimensions.

Ongoing Cultural Debates

Anand raises questions about how botanical institutions navigate their colonial pasts while promoting scientific discovery: “can mar the beauty in your eyes… knowing more is better” (38:43). The conversation highlights the importance of transparent and inclusive historical narratives in modern botanical practices.

Conclusion

"Empire of Plants: From Kew Gardens to Botany Bay" offers a comprehensive exploration of how botany and imperialism were mutually reinforcing forces. Through detailed discussions on figures like Joseph Banks, institutions like Kew Gardens, and commodities like breadfruit and rubber, Dalrymple and Anand reveal the profound ways in which plants influenced and were influenced by the dynamics of empire. The episode encourages listeners to appreciate the botanical beauty while critically engaging with the historical contexts that shaped them.

Notable Quotes

• William Dalrymple (04:22): "The focus of this series is going to be the way that botanic gardens became collections of imperial plants… how that botany was exploited in the building of empire."

• Anita Anand (04:54): “these are what the royals vying with each other to, you know, sort of show how very international they were.”

• Ryan Reynolds (06:55): "He said that Europeans were acute and inventive and governed by laws. And crucially, he said that Africans were, quote, crafty, indolent, negligent and governed by caprice."

• William Dalrymple (13:47): “They collected 30,000 samples.”

• Ryan Reynolds (14:12): "He was the first European to sight a kangaroo."

• Anita Anand (16:34): “they saw it as fit only for feeding pigs.”

• Ryan Reynolds (18:08): “cinchona is the bark that produced quinine, which in turn enabled Europeans to survive in West Africa.”

• William Dalrymple (38:43): “there was great beauty and incredible innovation, but at the same time there's colonization, vicious war, torture, espionage, slavery and indenture.”

Note: Timestamps correspond to the transcript segments referenced in the discussion.