The Royal Botanical Expedition to New Granada took place from 1783 to 1816 in territories that now make up several South American countries. The expedition was led by José Celestino Mutis, a Spanish botanist, and aimed to catalog the rich plant life of the region. Over 25 years, Mutis and his team explored over 8,000 square kilometers, discovering around 6,000 new plant species. Their work resulted in detailed drawings, descriptions and classifications of plants, contributing significantly to the field of botany.

1. BOTANICAL
EXPEDITION
Viceroyalty of New Granada

2. Viceroyalty of New Granada
Today´s
Colombia
Spaniard colony

3. New Granada map

4. What was it?
The Royal Botanical Expedition to New Granada took place between 1783 and
1816 in the territories of New Granada, covering present-day Colombia, Ecuador,
Panama, Venezuela, Peru and northern Brazil.
The project was rejected twice before being finally approved in 1783 by King
Charles III of Spain, and was headed by José Celestino Mutis, a Spanish priest,
who was also a botanist, mathematician and teacher.

5. Introduction
Background and
preparations
Expedition
The travel and the
plants
Publications
Book and
magazines
Later
The aftermath
Table of Contents

6. Introduction
Before the King approved the expedition, Mutis had already proposed
it on two occasions, in 1763 and 1764, but he had been ignored.
Years later, he retired to live in Mariquita, then he met Archbishop and
Viceroy Antonio Caballero y Góngora, who made a third proposal on his
behalf that was finally accepted by the King, who named Mutis first
botanist and astronomer of the botanical expedition.

7. Famous
Since the first failed proposals Mutis had
maintained regular contacts with
European scientists, among which
was Carl Linnaeus.
Interest
When it was known that the
expedition was finally developed,
started the interest of the
European scientific community at
the time.

8. Academy
On 1784 Mutis was
named member of
the Royal Swedish
Academy of Sciences,
and a member of the
Royal Academy of
Medicine.
Plants
His news about
American plants were
awaited by botanists
in Europe, hoping
learn about the new
species of plants.
Book
On his book he had
reported the medicinal
uses of some plant species,
and informed the Crown
about the possibility of
trading with tea leaves
coming from Bogotá.

9. Expedition
On April 29, 1783 the expedition
was formally started with a team
composed by botanists.

10. Phase 01
In 1790 they moved to
Santafe de Bogotá
(Bogotá) where
exploration activities
would continue until
1816. Several smaller
expeditions were sent
to extend geographical
territory.
Phase 02
Among them was the
one led by Francisco
José de Caldas, who
explored the present
lands of Ecuador during
four years, returning to
Santa Fe in 1808
bringing a very
extensive herbarium.
Phase 03
On 1801 Alexander von
Humboldt visited Mutis
during his expedition to
America. He expressed
his admiration for Mutis
work and praised his
botanical collection.
Phase 04
Mutis died on
September 11, 1808,
and was replaced by his
nephew Sinforoso, who
led the expedition until
1816.
Timeline

11. Important places
Ambalema
(Tolima)
Guaduas
(Cundinamarca)
Mariquita
(Tolima)
Honda
(Tolima)
Bogotá
(Cundinamarca)

12. Results
All together Mutis led the expedition for
over 25 years during which they
explored some 8,000 km2.
He developed a meticulous
methodology that included recollecting
the samples in the field together with
detailed descriptions, including data
about the environment of each species
and their medical or industrial uses.

13. 6717
Drawnings
2738
Different
classifications
were produced
6000
New species were
discovered and
described during
the expedition
20000
Plates
Numbers

14. Publications
Books and magazines

15. Arcanum of quina
In this Mutis book, he
describes seven new
species of plants with
medical and
therapeutic uses.
Botanists
Mutis's clasifications
were published by
botanists like
Linnaeus, Linneo,
Humboldt &
Bonpland.
Book
Flora de la Real
Expedición Botánica
del Nuevo Reino de
Granada
USA
On 1932 a worker from
the Smithsonian
Institution in
Washington, started to
study the Herbarium.

16. The aftermaths
Later

17. The work was sent to Spain and was
classified in the Royal Botanical
Garden of Madrid, a small part was
sent in 1889 to the Real Academia de
la Historia.

18. Cartography
Maps
Correspondence
Notes and manuscripts
24000
Dried plants
5000
Drawnings
Wood
And shells
Minerals
And skins
Results

19. Our biodiversity is
valuable, we must
protect it.

20. CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo,
including icons by Flaticon, and infographics & images by Freepik
Sources:
Thanks
https://www.livingcol.com/index.php/en/journeys/cultural-
routes/the-mutis-route
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Botanical_Expedition_to_New
_Granada
http://www.destinosyplanes.com/web/index.php/destinos/colom
bia/bogota-d-c/item/135-ruta-celestino-mutis