Plant collecting in Mozambique from 1900 to 1929: collectors, collections, herbaria, and why this period was considered to have been unproductive

Abstract

The collecting of botanical specimens in Mozambique for depositing in herbaria during the period from 1900 to 1929, i.e., up to the appointment of institutional collectors, such as António de Figueiredo Gomes e Sousa, is investigated. A comprehensive catalogue of collectors who were active in the country in the first ca. 30 years of the 20th century is provided. In addition, biographical information about the collectors and information regarding their activities, employment, collections, and herbaria where their collections are kept are catalogued. The analysis is presented in an historical context and we reflect on the reasons why this period has been referred to as having been “somewhat unproductive”.