Carl Linnaeus was born on May 23, 1707, three hundred and three years ago today. His system for naming plants transformed their classification. But it was his love for plants that gave him the impetus to organize their names consistently. In Sweden, three botanical gardens are maintained in his name.
There’s a nice biography at Plant Explorers, a worthy read for today. In that article we learn, among many other interesting details of his life, that he adopted the clothing of the Lapps as his field working clothes. He liked them so much that he had his portrait painted while wearing them. In this portrait, he is holding in his right hand his favorite flower, the Twin-flower, Linnaea borealis.
Fascinating read – thanks for the link.
Glad you enjoyed it, Ted.