On the reliability of older literature concerning the Netherlands Flora (± 1550 – ± 1850)

Abstract

From a historical point of view floristics, as practiced systematically in this country since the middle of the last century, has grown out of a branch of medical science, which below will be referred to with the term ‘herbalism’. The latter and floristics share a common subject, viz. the flora, but differ in that the goal of floristics is knowledge of this flora, while that of herbalism is rather the production of medicinal preparations. A second important stimulus, leading to floristic interest, was the foundation of botanical gardens in numerous places in our country since the end of the 16th century. Soon the plants grown in such gardens were not only medicinal ones but also plants were cultivated for their aesthetic value, or because they excited curiosity. This, in turn, brought about an interest in the natural localities of such plants. Here also those aspects, which from the point of view of floristics are the most important, are still regarded as of secondary importance. Nevertheless, the herbals as well as the ‘horticultural’ literature can contribute significant data to floristics — for example, on the question of whether plant species are indigenous in a certain area — but only after a clear distinction has been made between what is valuable and what is not.