Origin of Cultivated Plants The International Scientific Series Volume XLVIII

by Alphonse de Candolle

"Origin of Cultivated Plants" by Alphonse de Candolle is a scientific publication written in the late 19th century. This extensive work explores the origins of cultivated plants, focusing on their historical cultivation, geographical spread, and the factors that contributed to their domestication. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between plants and early civilizations, engaging readers interested in botany, agriculture, and history. At the start of the book, the author introduces the subject by emphasizing the importance of understanding the origins of cultivated plants for various audiences, including agriculturists, botanists, and historians. He reflects on the complexities involved in determining the native habitats of different species and critiques historical inaccuracies regarding the origins that have persisted through time. He outlines the various methods he employs to discover and prove the origins of cultivated plants, including botanical observations, archaeological evidence, and historical records. Additionally, he discusses the need to rely on a combination of these methods to arrive at solid conclusions concerning the history and diffusion of various cultivated species.