How an Agave Changed Benedict Roezl’s Life Forever and Spurred Him to Become the World’s Top Orchid Hunter

November 4, 2019

On today's show, the Plant Explorer and orchidologist Benedict Roezl's plant collecting was featured in a story about the Arizona Palm. Benedict had sent Arizona Palm seeds to Germany and Belgium on his way through the American Southwest to Mexico. 

But did Benedict make it to Mexico?

And, if so, what did he accomplish during his time there?

Here's the rest of his story:

Once he got to Mexico, Benedict started a business cultivating a nettle called the Boehmeria nivea, which produces a fiber known as Ramie. Similar to Linen, Ramie fibers are twice as strong as cotton.

Benedict built a machine to extract the fiber from the Boehmeria and brought it to an exhibition. When someone asked if his machine could extract fiber from an agave, Benedict attempted to try it.

Tragically, the Agave responded wildly to the contraption, causing Benedict's hand to get caught in the machine. Benedict's hand was crushed.

This accident changed Benedict's life. He left his Ramie business in Mexico and began collecting plants full-time.

As a full-time Plant Explorer, Benedict collected over 800 orchids from Mexico and South America, along with thousands of other plants like agaves and cacti. Benedict collected for a nurseryman named Sander for 40 years.

In Columbia, he discovered the Zambia Roezlii, the tallest and oldest orchid.

Even though Benedict was 6‘2“ tall and used an imposing iron hook for a hand, during his collecting days, Benedict was robbed 17 times and once even attacked by a jaguar while he hunted for orchids.

At the end of his life, Benedict returned home to Czechoslovakia.

His country welcomed him home with open arms, and the Russian czar honored him.

After he died at home in his bed, his funeral was attended by the Austrian emperor.

Today, there is a handsome statue of Benedict Roezl in Prague.

It’s located on the southern end of Charles Square.