Flora Handbook of New Zealand: A Systematic Description of Native Plants

Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817–1911), a botanist, explorer, and director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, is primarily remembered as a close friend and colleague of Darwin. His publications on the geographical distribution of plants supported Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. In 1839, Hooker became an assistant surgeon on HMS Erebus during Ross' Antarctic expedition. The boat wintered along the New Zealand coast, Tasmania, and the Falkland Islands, enabling Hooker to collect over 700 plant species.

Drawing heavily on Hooker's illustrated Flora Novae Zelandiae (1854–1855), this two-volume work (1864–1867) contains a comprehensive list of New Zealand plant species as well as those of the Chatham, Kermadec, Auckland, Campbell, and Macquarrie Islands. As the first major study of New Zealand flora, Hooker's handbook remained the authority on the subject for half a century. Volume 2 continues Hooker's meticulous description and categorization of New Zealand flora.

Hooker's publications on the geographical distribution of plants were instrumental in supporting Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. His close friendship and collaboration with Darwin were crucial in the development and acceptance of this groundbreaking concept. Hooker's role as a botanist, explorer, and director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew further solidified his legacy as a pivotal figure in the scientific community of his time.

The two-volume work (1864–1867), which drew heavily on Hooker's illustrated Flora Novae Zelandiae (1854–1855), provided a comprehensive list of New Zealand plant species, including those found on the Chatham, Kermadec, Auckland, Campbell, and Macquarrie Islands. This comprehensive study of New Zealand flora remained the authority on the subject for half a century, underscoring Hooker's significant contribution to the understanding of the country's botanical diversity.

Hooker's expedition on HMS Erebus in 1839, during which he collected over 700 plant species, further cemented his reputation as a skilled botanist and explorer. The expedition's wintering along the New Zealand coast, Tasmania, and the Falkland Islands allowed Hooker to gather valuable data and specimens, which he later utilized in his publications.

In addition to his scientific accomplishments, Hooker's role as the director of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew was instrumental in the institution's growth and development. Under his leadership, the gardens expanded their collections and became a hub for botanical research and education, solidifying their position as one of the world's premier botanical institutions.

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