PressArticle by the Royal Horticultural Society, May 2007: The Linnean Society of London Linnaeus’ Legacy - 300 years of naming nature The Linnean Society of London is celebrating the 300th anniversary of the birth of the great Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. This exhibit is designed to explore Linnaeus’ legacy that led to the current system of scientific naming. Linnaeus promoted the binomial system in use today for all plant naming in his book Species Plantarum (1753) and said in his Philosophia Botanica (1751), “If you do not know the names of things, the knowledge of them is lost too”. The exhibit, the focal point of which will be a new bust in bronze of the young Linnaeus examining a butterfly by the artist and zoologist Anthony Smith, involves four themes, expressed in the plants used for the display. Plants named for their characteristics develop the theme of communication. Plants named for their uses develop a theme of human health and the centrality of plants to medicine. Plants named for places explore the theme of exploration and conservation of biodiversity, and plants named for people focus on the future of naming nature. A miniature U-shaped glaciated valley of wild flowers sweeps up to the bust and more wild flowers surround the plinth which supports the bust. Behind Linnaeus is his own favourite flower, named after him, Linnaea borealis, commonly known as twinflower. The valley is supported by two tiers of specimen plants, with explanatory labels, such as might be found in a botanic garden. The unifying theme of the exhibit will be the continuing legacy begun by Linnaeus - the naming of plants and their importance and relevance in today’s world. The Linnaean Tercentenary is being commemorated internationally throughout 2007 and includes a comprehensive programme of exciting promotional events, scientific meetings, awards, exhibitions and projects featuring the digitisation of the Society’s Collections.  © The Royal Horticultural Society
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The bust at the Chelsea Flower Show 
The Linnean Society Garden 
The bust being unveiled 
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