Winter 2009

contents

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features

16Collected works Gail Vines meets Kew’s Martin Cheek, who works tirelessly to protect biodiversity in West Africa, despite the dangers

18Rescue missionOliver Whaley reports on the effects of climate change in Peru and what Kew is doing to help restore the native flora

24Drop by dropWhy are Richard Wilford and Matthew Smith crawling around on remote, freezing hillsides in Georgia counting snowdrops?

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30Natural inspiration Garden designer and former Kew student Dan Pearson talks to Sally Nex about his influences

36A rekindled passionRichard Wilford investigates the intriguing story of a lost Kew beauty, Passiflora x kewensis

38From rainforest to herbarium How does a rare plant collected in Sumatra become a treasured specimen in Kew’s Herbarium? Gemma Bramley explains

46An evolutionary correspondence Emma Townshend explores the fascinating letters by Charles Darwin held in Kew’s Archives

48What can you spot?In winter Kew’s Arboretum is teeming with life – come and see for yourself, says Sandra Bell

54Restored to gloryAs Kew’s Marianne North Gallery reopens, we look at the history of this unique building and its eponymous founder

42Meeting of minds AndreaWulf traces the close, longstanding links between Kew and the Royal Society

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