contents Spring 2009

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features

16KEW’S 250 TH ANNIVERSARY Why do we need botanic gardens? Sara Oldfield explores the vital and diverse work ofbotanic gardens across the world

22KEW’S 250 TH ANNIVERSARY A–Z ofKew An alphabet of fascinating facts from the 250 eventful years of Kew’s history

30EXPEDITION Good morning,Vietnam GailVines reports on Kew’s latest trip to Vietnam to help assess and conserve the rich flora

36ALL IN A DAY’S WORK The fine art ofrestoration Ambra Edwards reveals the meticulous work involved in restoring Kew’s collection of Marianne North paintings

42PROFILE Leading the hunt Gail Vines delves into the Darwin Treasure Chest with Kew’s Angela McFarlane

44KEW’S 250 TH ANNIVERSARY Search and rescue Carolyn Fry traces the history of plant hunting and its current role in conservation

46KEW’S GARDENS Switched on to bulbs Richard Wilford spotlights the succession ofglorious bulbs in Kew’s Woodland Garden

52FIELD WORK Beneath the trees Kew student Emma Crawforth sheds light on the understorey plants of Oregon’s conifer forests

58PLANT SCIENCE Solving Darwin’s abominable mystery William Chaloner and Peter Crane examine the rise to dominance of flowering plants

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