Botany of Empire: Plant Worlds and the Scientific Legacies of Colonialism

Botany of Empire explores how colonialism transformed plant worlds into biological knowledge, shaping foundational theories and practices. It proposes a more inclusive and capacious field of botany that harnesses feminist and scientific thought to chart a course for more socially just practices of experimental biology.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2024
Publisher: University of Washington Press

Botany of Empire: An Exploration of Colonialism's Impact on Botany and the Life Sciences
Botany of Empire, a groundbreaking book by Banu Subramaniam, delves into the origins of botany and explores how we can transform its future. Subramaniam draws on diverse fields such as queer studies, Indigenous studies, and the biological sciences to uncover the complex history of how colonialism shaped and fortified botany's foundational theories and practices.

One of the key themes of Botany of Empire is the impact of colonial ambitions on botany and the life sciences. Colonialism was driven by a desire for power, resources, and territory, and it had a profound impact on the way that plants were studied and understood. Subramaniam argues that colonialism obliterated plant time's deep history, creating a reductionist system that imposed a Latin-based naming system and drew on the imagined sex lives of European elites to explain plant sexuality.

Subramaniam also highlights how colonizers obliterated plant time's deep history to create a reductionist system that imposed a Latin-based naming system, drew on the imagined sex lives of European elites to explain plant sexuality, and discussed foreign plants like foreign humans. Subramanian then pivots to imagining a more inclusive and capacious field of botany untethered and decentered from its origins in histories of racism, slavery, and colonialism. This vision harnesses the power of feminist and scientific thought to chart a course for more socially just practices of experimental biology.

Botany of Empire is a reckoning and a manifesto, providing experts and general readers alike with a roadmap for transforming the colonial foundations of plant science. Subramaniam's book offers a critical analysis of the ways in which botany has been shaped by colonialism and calls for a more inclusive and diverse field that is committed to social justice and equity.

In conclusion, Botany of Empire is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of botany and the life sciences. Subramaniam's book offers a critical analysis of the ways in which colonialism has shaped botany and calls for a more inclusive and diverse field that is committed to social justice and equity. By drawing on diverse fields and perspectives, Subramaniam provides a roadmap for transforming the colonial foundations of plant science and creating a more just and equitable world.

Weight: 590g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780295752457