For centuries, science has been told as a story of great men.
Explorers, collectors, researchers – their names are written into history. But this version is incomplete.
Because while they were documenting the natural world, women were there too. Observing, collecting, illustrating, discovering. They traveled across oceans, worked in dangerous environments, and contributed to science in ways that still shape our understanding of plants today. And yet, many of their names were never meant to be remembered.
In this article, we uncover three extraordinary women who changed botany and why their stories still matter.
Why Women Were Erased from Botanical History
Botany has always been a field shaped by exploration. But for a long time, women were not allowed to officially take part in it.
They were excluded from universities. Forbidden from joining expeditions. And often forced to work in the background.
Some contributed anonymously. Some had their work credited to men. Others found creative and risky ways to participate anyway.
Botanical illustration, plant collection, and field observations were often dismissed as “support work,” even when they were essential to scientific discovery.
They discovered, documented, and changed science but history rarely wrote their names down.
Jeanne Baret – The Woman Who Circumnavigated the World in Disguise
In the 18th century, women were not allowed on naval expeditions. So Jeanne Baret found another way.
She disguised herself as a man and joined the famous expedition of Louis Antoine de Bougainville becoming the first woman to circumnavigate the globe.
But she wasn’t just there to travel.
Baret was a highly skilled botanist and plant collector. During the journey, she helped collect and document thousands of plant specimens from around the world. Many of these discoveries were later attributed to others.
Her work required physical endurance, courage, and constant risk – not only from the harsh environments, but also from the danger of being discovered.
For a long time, her contribution remained largely invisible.
I also tell her story as part of my Inspiring Women series – you can watch it here.
Marianne North – Painting the World’s Plants Before Photography
At a time when women rarely traveled alone, Marianne North set out to explore the world.
She visited tropical regions across multiple continents – from South America to Southeast Asia – documenting plant life in a way no one had done before
Instead of creating idealized botanical drawings, she painted plants in their natural environments. Her work captured ecosystems, not just individual specimens.
This made her paintings scientifically valuable, as they showed how plants actually grew and interacted in the wild. Today, her collection is still displayed at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew – a space dedicated entirely to her work.
North didn’t just document plants. She preserved entire landscapes.
Maria Sibylla Merian – The Scientist Who Revealed Metamorphosis
In the 17th century, many people believed that insects simply appeared out of nowhere. Maria Sibylla Merian proved them wrong.
She traveled to Suriname to study insects and plants in their natural habitat – an extraordinary journey, especially for a woman at that time.
There, she carefully observed and documented the life cycles of insects, showing for the first time how caterpillars transform into butterflies. But her work went beyond that.
She illustrated the relationship between insects and plants, revealing early ecological connections that were far ahead of her time. Her detailed illustrations combined scientific accuracy with artistic beauty and remain influential to this day.
I also featured her in my Inspiring Women series – watch the video here.
What These Women Changed in Science
Each of these women contributed to botany in a different way:
- Jeanne Baret expanded botanical exploration through hands-on fieldwork
- Marianne North documented plants within their natural ecosystems
- Maria Sibylla Merian revealed connections between species and life cycles
Together, they helped shape a deeper understanding of the natural world. They didn’t just study plants – they changed how we understand life itself.
Why Their Stories Matter Today
These stories are not just about the past. They remind us how knowledge is shaped and how easily contributions can be overlooked. By rediscovering these women, we don’t just correct history. We expand it.
Their work continues to inspire curiosity, exploration, and a deeper connection to the natural world. And maybe that’s what botany has always been about:
Looking closer.
Asking questions.
And seeing what others might have missed.
Further Reading
If you’d like to explore more about plants and their role in ecosystems, you might also enjoy: