Lincolnshire-bred botanist and patron of natural sciences Sir Joseph Banks was one of the principal instigators behind the infamous voyage of HMS Bounty, which set out to transport breadfruit plants from the tropical island of Tahiti over to colonies in the West Indies.
On the return voyage from the expedition, a mutiny was lead against commanding officer William Bligh by crew member Fletcher Christian.
Now, esteemed Lincoln botanist Dr Colin Leakey is calling for The Lawn’s Sir Joseph Banks Conservatory to display the breadfruit plant to members of the public.
“Here in Lincoln, we have the only surviving Sir Joseph Banks Conservatory in the country,” he said.
“What better place could there be in Britain to grow breadfruit trees under hot-house conditions, partly for study, and partly to promote their importance.
“During the Olympic year, I believe we should organise to bring breadfruit seedlings over to Lincoln from Trinidad to be planted in our own conservatory here, which could be very easily done.
“My suggestion would be to invite the mayor of Trinidad over, hopefully at the invitation of the mayor of Lincoln, to bring breadfruit trees and make a great song and dance, literally, about the importance of breadfruit trees in Trinidad.”
Now based in Lincoln, Dr Leakey read Natural Sciences at Cambridge University, majoring in Botany.
In 1977, he was invited to make an in-depth study of the breadfruit in the Caribbean, considered then to be a important crop of the future.
Manager of the Sir Joseph Banks Conservatory Marie Diamond said the breadfruit plant would be a welcome addition to the conservatory, and a welcome dedication to Sir Joseph Banks.
“I would welcome any planting in the conservatory which is true and significant to the memory of Sir Joseph,” she said.
“The breadfruit is one of the most important plants he was responsible for. It would be important not only to the conservatory, but also to Lincolnshire itself.”
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