Visit Special Collections to explore the exhibit, Inspired by Plants: The Art and Science of the Campus Arboretum Florilegium, opening February 13, 2023, through August 2023.

flo·ri·le·gi·um / flôr??l?j??m: a collection of scientific illustrations documenting the plants in a special garden.

A collaboration of Special Collections and the University of Arizona Campus Arboretum, this exhibit features a collection of scientific illustrations documenting the plants of the Joseph Wood Krutch Garden, the University’s oldest garden, an inspiring model of a sustainable urban landscape.

Skillful scientific illustrators and artists from throughout the Southwestern United States created striking works that remind us of the lessons of the Krutch Garden, which are relevant for our times—inspiring connection with nature through the unique beauty of the Sonoran desert and promoting conservation and stewardship of plant diversity in our desert cities.

Despite advances in technology used to capture botanically significant details through photography and microscopy, scientific illustration retains great value as an effective educational resource simply because it encapsulates all important views and detail magnification in one small panel. Florilegia serve as important historical records and useful scientific tools to record local and regional species diversity in perpetuity.

These masterfully created original artworks are held at Special Collections. Additional materials from Special Collections relating to the historic Joseph Wood Krutch Garden are on display. Artists contributing to the exhibit include Pauline Savage, Chris Bondante, Joyce Peters, Diane Inman, and Karen Gengle.