Meise Botanic Garden, Botanical garden and research center in Meise, Belgium
Meise Botanic Garden is a 92-hectare site with over 18,000 plant species organized across different sections, including extensive greenhouse complexes for tropical and subtropical vegetation. The grounds also feature the historic Bouchout Castle structures and modern research facilities that together form a comprehensive botanical complex.
The institution was founded as a royal garden in 1796 and officially established in 1840 before relocating to the Bouchout Castle grounds in 1958. These moves reflect its growth from a private collection into a public research center.
The garden reflects a long history of scientific collaboration between Belgium and African nations through its plant collections and ongoing research. Walking through the grounds, you notice how this exchange shapes the diversity of species displayed and studied here.
The site is easy to reach and located near Brussels. The best time to visit is during warmer months when outdoor sections are fully accessible, though the greenhouses provide shelter year-round from poor weather conditions.
The herbarium collection stores millions of dried plant specimens representing a substantial portion of all known plant species globally. This vast archive allows researchers to compare and study plants from different time periods and locations without disturbing living specimens.
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