Botanical inventory of the early book herbaria of Leonhard Rauwolf from southern France and northern Italy (1560–1563)

Abstract

Sixteenth‐century herbaria are the oldest plant collections that survive today and, as such, they provide valuable insights in past floras and historical botanical interactions. One of the most fascinating still extant 16th‐century herbaria is the four‐volume collection of the German physician, botanist and traveler Leonhard Rauwolf (1535?–1596). Here we present a first full account of the botanical contents of Rauwolf's first three herbaria, compiled between 1560 and 1563 during and right after his medical studies in southern France and northern Italy. This collection counts in total 699 specimens, which belong to 657 species and subspecies. It is a valuable source on the history of the flora of southern France and northern Italy, as it contains numerous interesting examples of typical Mediterranean, alpine, exotic and even invasive species. It is also the output of meticulous scientific work, evident in the diligent preparation and ordering of plant specimens, the presence of species that are not found in other contemporary herbaria, and the detailed annotations on morphology and other features such as dispersal, habitat, scent or taste. By showcasing several examples of specimens, we demonstrate that Rauwolf's early herbaria represent a fine example of the botanical trends that arose during the 16th century leading to the emergence of botany as a distinct scientific discipline.