Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid

Eighteenth-century Spain was a powerhouse of botanical research and collecting. In 1755, King Ferdinand VI founded Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid (the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid), and Spanish science prospered under the rule of Charles III (1759–1788) and Charles IV (1788–1808). Several Royal Botanical Expeditions were launched in the late eighteenth century to explore Spanish colonies. The mission of these expeditions was to survey the flora of the territories, explore their economic potential, and gather collections for the Royal Botanical Garden and Royal Natural History Cabinet.