TURIN BOTANIC GARDEN: ANCIENT AND MODERN

Resumen

The Turin Botanic Garden, founded in 1729, was used for growing medicinal plants and for ostentio simplicium for students. The records we have of activity in the Garden testify to following development of botanical studies and the continuity of regional floristic research. The recent reintroduction to the Garden of wild plants of particular interest for the region, in taxonomically arranged beds, and cross-referenced to palynological, chemotaxonomic and molecular research, allows current research to be related to the past. The most significant work recently undertaken at the Garden has included the construction of an Alpinetum and a large hothouse to recreate a series of South African vegetation types, thus getting away from a simple display of species arranged by families. We have also increased the collections of glasshouse and frost-resistant succulent species overwintering with only a cover to keep the rain off. The recent collection of old fruit tree cultivars on a south-east facing bank as living examples of the important models of 18th century fruit varieties made by Garnier-Valletti, exhibited in the new “Fruit Museum” of Turin.