Scientific Research and Data
Scientific research
Our research focuses mainly on our collections of plants, both living and preserved, and scientific literature. Full use is made of the extensive human knowledge base and expertise in taxonomy and horticulture in the institute as a whole.
Science Directory
The Science Directory provides a detailed and comprehensive account of our scientific activities.
Horticultural activities
Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is a multi-purpose activity, supporting the institution's research programme and balancing this with a high-quality visitor amenity. Our unrivalled living collections represent a resource for botanical science world-wide, whether for pure scientific purposes or those with economic potential. Most important of all, the living collections and the horticultural skill that cares for them are a resource for ex situ conservation of plant diversity and its integration with habitat restoration and species reintroduction.
- A resource discovery engine giving access to multiple data sources via a single search. more info....
- Find out about the Kew Library collections by searching our catalogue, and gain access to botany libraries worldwide. more info....
Other Science news
A review of scientific news is published in our six-monthly journal, Kew Scientist.
News archive
News
Google Earth helps Kew put ‘lost forest’ of Mount Mabu on the conservation map
The Great Plant Hunt
Free science curriculum resources for children aged 5-11, and an invitation to join the biggest ever school science project.
Sedge rediscovered on St Helena
The chance rediscovery of a plant - a type of sedge not seen for over 200 years and feared extinct - has delighted botanists working on the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena - read about the discovery...
Rhizotron & Xstrata Treetop Walkway
'Self-destructive' Palm seeds arrive at Kew
