William Dampier's Brazilian botanical observations in 1699

Abstract

The English privateer and navigator William Dampier collected specimens, made species lists and recorded ethno-botanical information about the plants growing in and around Salvador (Brazil) in March/April 1699. However, Dampier's role as a collector in the history of Brazilian botany has been overlooked. In this paper, Dampier's visit to Brazil is summarized, his approach to collecting is reviewed, his extant specimens are identified and the plant names mentioned in his species lists correlated with modern names. The place of Dampier's specimens in the history of Brazilian botany is critically reviewed.