Seven million specimens That’s how many plants and fungi reside within the walls of the Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Komarov RAN. This isn’t just any botanical garden. This is the Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Komarov RAN. It’s a place steeped in history a treasure trove of botanical knowledge.
The Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Komarov RAN boasts a rich history stretching back to 1714. It began as a humble apothecary garden. Its purpose was simple to cultivate medicinal plants. Peter the Great himself initiated this endeavor. Over the centuries it evolved. It transformed into a prominent botanical institution. The Imperial Botanical Garden title arrived in 1823. This marked a pivotal moment in the garden’s development. John Goldie’s expertise played a key role in this transformation.
Imagine the dedicated botanists who walked these grounds. Ivan Lepyokhin oversaw the garden for nearly three decades from 1774 to 1802. Eduard August von Regel’s passion for alliums is legendary. He led expeditions to the Russian Far East. His work resulted in over 60 new allium species being identified. You can see many of these in the Northern Yard. Constantin Winkler reorganized the herbaria and greenhouse collections in 1897. Boris Fedtschenko continued this legacy. He organized research expeditions across vast swathes of Russia. His findings filled numerous publications.
The Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Komarov RAN boasts an impressive collection of greenhouses. Built between 1823 and 1824 these 25 structures house a breathtaking array of plants. Some are open for guided tours. These include displays of azaleas ferns cacti and tropical plants. The Big Palm Greenhouse stands tall at 23.5 meters. It’s home to an impressive collection of orchids. Every year the blooming of the Selenicereus grandiflorus cactus is a media event. It’s a breathtaking spectacle witnessed by the public. The Siege of Leningrad tragically impacted the greenhouses. Out of thousands of species only 861 survived.
Beyond the greenhouses lies a captivating park. A rock garden and arboretum add to the beauty. The arboretum is a blend of English and formal garden styles. The park remains closed during the colder months. It sits at a low elevation. It has been vulnerable to the infamous St Petersburg floods. The herbarium building dates back to 1913 a testament to the garden’s enduring legacy.
The Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Komarov RAN isn’t merely a place to admire plants. It’s a living testament to centuries of botanical research and discovery. The scientists who have worked here contributed to global botanical knowledge. This institution continues to be a center of excellence. It houses millions of specimens and a wealth of history. Its gardens and greenhouses provide a fascinating journey through the plant world. The Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir Komarov RAN is truly a unique place.