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Arboretum
The Arboretum forms the tree section of Pisa's botanical garden, dominated by conifers and catkin-bearing species. Its layout was established in the 19th century by prefects Gaetano Savi and Teodoro Caruel and remains largely unchanged to this day. This historic garden section provides insight into the botanical arrangements favoured during that period.
Orto del Mirto (Official Flora)
The Orto del Mirto comprises the medicinal plant section of Pisa's Botanical Garden, housing around 140 species of medicinal flora. The area takes its name from a venerable specimen of Myrtus communis (myrtle) that defines the character of this distinctive corner of the gardens. Visit to explore the collection of therapeutic and aromatic plants arranged in this historic setting.
Succulent Collection (Greenhouse)
Pisa's succulent greenhouse showcases an extensive collection of drought-resistant plants, including Cactaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Crassulaceae specimens, alongside genera such as Aloe and Agave. The plants are arranged according to both systematic and geographical classifications, offering visitors a dual perspective that combines scientific taxonomy with geographical origin. This thoughtfully curated display provides insight into these remarkable desert-adapted species and their global distribution.
Herbarium of the Pisa Botanical Garden
The Herbarium Horti Botanici Pisani houses one of Italy's most significant herbarium collections, with approximately 350,000 specimens gathered since the late 18th century. Housed in a neoclassical building at the heart of the botanical garden, it is accessible to researchers by appointment only. The collection documents global flora and is particularly notable for the quality of its specimens and the substantial number of nomenclatural types it holds, making it an invaluable resource for botanical study.
Systematic Collection
The Colección Sistemática is a section of the botanical garden organised on didactic and systematic principles, grouping plant species by their botanical relationships to aid study. Spread across numerous beds, it houses hundreds of species from different plant families. The collection includes wild edible plants native to Tuscany, an extensive range of bulbous plants, and a substantial collection of Salvia varieties. What to see here reflects the garden's educational approach to plant classification and natural history.
Aquatic Plants
The Orto Botanico di Pisa houses an impressive collection of aquatic plants, many of them native species now facing serious conservation concerns. What to see here includes the marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), virtually extinct in the wild, alongside the swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus palustris) and yellow water-lily (Nuphar lutea), both under considerable threat. The collection plays an important role in preserving these vulnerable plants for future generations.
Gallery of Seventeenth-Century Botanist Portraits
The Quadreria at Pisa's Botanic Museum houses a remarkable collection of seventeenth-century portraits depicting distinguished botanists. This portrait gallery, part of the legacy of the former Natural History Gallery established in 1591 by Grand Duke Ferdinand I de' Medici, holds considerable historical and artistic significance. The collection offers insight into the lives and achievements of the era's leading botanical scholars.
Cedar Garden
The Cedro Garden forms part of Pisa's Botanical Garden and was acquired in 1786 from the convent of Santa Teresa. It is home to the two oldest trees in the entire botanical garden. The area also features a bamboo grove, an ancient wisteria, and historic collections of hydrangeas and camellias. What to see includes these venerable specimens and the varied plantings that reflect centuries of cultivation.
- 1.Arboretum
- 2.Orto del Mirto (Official Flora)
- 3.Succulent Collection (Greenhouse)
- 4.Herbarium of the Pisa Botanical Garden
- 5.Systematic Collection
- 6.Aquatic Plants
- 7.Gallery of Seventeenth-Century Botanist Portraits
- 8.Cedar Garden
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