Collections - Botanical Collection

In the 1940s the garden and greenhouses in Via Cocchi began hosting a fine collection of tropical and subtropical plants, fruit of the collections made by experts of the Institute in the course of their assignments abroad.

The collection is continually growing both in number and kind. Currently 340 species are represented:, of which 248 are grown in greenhouses and 92 in the open. The collection includes various types of plants, alimentary, ornamental, forestry, or those which can furnish textile fibers, coloring or medicinal substances.

The collection is not meant to be a systematic collection of tropical and subtropical species for it is primarily educational in its aims, and illustrates the diverse forms of vegetation encountered in the tropical and subtropical regions. It is visited not only by schools but also by university students, researchers and, upon request, groups of private citizens.

Photographs can be made and materials for observation and experimentation are available for those in the scientific sphere.

Guided tours are organized, contact: Giardino IAO

fax: ++39 055 5061333 - Phone: ++39 055 5061701

A special authorization is required to access the Botanical Collection at IAO's headquarter in Florence: click here to download a copy.