February 14, 2022 René Louiche Desfontaines, Orchid Lawsuit, Samuel Graveson, Okakura Kakuzō, Rosie Sanders’ Flowers by Rosie Sanders, and Michaux’s Sumac
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Botanical History On This Day
1750 Birth of René Louiche Desfontaines, French botanist who explored North Africa and authored Flora Atlantica featuring 300 new genera. He famously experimented with the sensitive plant's carriage rides, discovering it adapted after initial wilting. The Chilean holly, Desfontainia spinosa, bears his name.
1863 Birth of Okakura Kakuzō, Japanese author and art advocate, known for The Book of Tea. He cherished the enduring friendship of flowers, saying, "In joy or sadness, flowers are our constant friends."
1869 Birth of Samuel Graveson, English Quaker printer, publisher, and author. In his 1915 book My Villa Garden, he wryly remarked on the flood of gardening books: "Are not our bookshelves already overburdened with literature on the subject?"
1898 On this day, the orchid lawsuit Ashworth vs. Wells was decided, favoring the plaintiff who bought a white Cattleya Acklandiae alba orchid only to discover it was a common purple. The plaintiff recovered the orchid’s purchase price of fifty pounds.
Grow That Garden Library™ Book Recommendation
Celebrate botanical art with Rosie Sanders' Flowers by Rosie Sanders, a 2017 collection showcasing 80 exquisite paintings of tulips, orchids, roses, and more. This vibrant book captures the drama and sensuality of flowers, making it a perfect Valentine's gift.
Buy the book on Amazon: Rosie Sanders' Flowers
Today's Botanic Spark
2010 On this day, botanist Mincy Moffett Jr. orchestrated a Valentine’s Day rescue for Georgia's endangered Michaux Sumac, planting male and female populations closer to enable reproduction and preserve genetic diversity. Mincy hoped for "a torrid romance," and the sumac's thriving today is testament to this botanical matchmaker’s success.
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