5 Books that Show How Botany can be a Thrilling Adventure
When most people think of botany, the scientific study of plants, they imagine serene greenhouses, quiet herbariums, or researchers hunched over microscopes in tranquil labs. While these settings are undoubtedly part of the discipline, they only scratch the surface. In my work as a conservation photographer following botanists into the field to document their work and tell their story, I’ve come to understand that botany is a science of adventure, exploration, and discovery. It requires venturing into uncharted territories, decoding the secrets of plants, and uncovering their stories—often in challenging, even dangerous, environments. Far from being a quiet pursuit, botany is a life of relentless interest in the world and daring journeys.
Here are five of my favorite reads that combine the beauty of plants with the thrill of exploration. From expeditions into uncharted territories to unraveling the secrets of plant life, these books capture the spirit of adventure in botany and will have you looking at this science in a whole new way.
1. Naturalists in Paradise by John Hemming
John Hemming’s Naturalists in Paradise follows Alfred Russel Wallace, Henry Walter Bates, and Richard Spruce as they plunge into the Amazon’s untamed wilderness during the 19th century. Botany becomes a thrilling pursuit as these naturalists face jaguars, tropical diseases, and perilous river expeditions, all while discovering and cataloging thousands of plant species. Their passion for unraveling nature’s secrets drives them to the edge of human endurance. Hemming’s vivid storytelling captures not just the dangers but the sheer wonder of exploring Earth's richest ecosystems. A mesmerizing tribute to botanical exploration!
2. The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf
This captivating biography of Alexander von Humboldt explores his groundbreaking expeditions in South America, where he climbed volcanoes, mapped vast ecosystems, and laid the foundation for modern environmental science. Humboldt’s adventurous spirit and scientific curiosity shine throughout.
3. One River: Explorations and Discoveries in the Amazon Rainforest by Wade Davis
Wade Davis’s One River is a masterpiece of adventure, history, and botany, interwoven with the rich tapestry of human cultures. Both a personal memoir and a tribute to Davis’s mentor, Richard Evans Schultes, the book captures the spirit of scientific exploration in one of the planet’s most biodiverse regions. One River chronicles two interconnected journeys. The first is Schultes’s remarkable mid-20th-century expeditions into the Amazon, where he sought plants of cultural and medicinal significance, including those used for psychoactive rituals. The second is Davis’s own exploration decades later, retracing Schultes’s footsteps alongside his friend Tim Plowman. At its core, One River is a love letter to ethnobotany, the study of the relationship between people and plants. Davis vividly illustrates how indigenous knowledge shaped Schultes’s work and underscores the importance of preserving these traditions in the face of rapid ecological and cultural loss. From hallucinogenic plants like ayahuasca to the medicinal uses of coca, Davis delves into the deep connections between nature and humanity. One River is more than a tale of adventure; it’s a call to action. Davis eloquently argues for the preservation of not just the Amazon’s biodiversity but also the wisdom of its indigenous peoples, whose intimate understanding of the natural world has been cultivated over millennia.
4. The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan
Pollan takes readers on an imaginative journey, exploring the relationship between humans and plants through four key species: apples, tulips, marijuana, and potatoes. He examines how these plants have shaped human desires and, in turn, how humans have influenced their evolution. Blending science, history, and philosophy, The Botany of Desire feels like a quest to understand the interconnectedness of life.
5. The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean
This gripping narrative dives into the world of rare orchid collectors and enthusiasts, focusing on the true story of John Laroche, an eccentric plant poacher. Set in the steamy swamps of Florida, The Orchid Thief explores obsession, nature's complexity, and humanity's endless pursuit of beauty. Orlean’s vivid descriptions and witty storytelling bring botany to life as an adventure filled with intrigue and passion.
What are your favorite books about the adventurous life of botany? I’d love to add them to my nightstand book pile!
As an amateur botanist, I’ve been blessed to jump into many adventures in the pursuit of plants. I’ve recorded some of those adventures in the form of a hiking guide book entitled Best Wildflower Hikes New Mexico: A Guide to the Area’s Best Wildflower Hiking Adventures. Over the course of two years I traversed some 300 miles of trails in New Mexico dodging lighting and hail in the high mountains, braving the heat of the lowland deserts, and encountering all kinds of wildlife (mountain lions, black bears, bighorn sheep) in my adventures. It was thrilling work and allowed me to get just a taste of the life some botanists lead in pursuit of plants. If you live in or have a friend in New Mexico, this guide book makes a great companion gift to Eufloria’s botanical art pieces.
