An itinerary through images, information, curiosities, and activities to learn about and recognize a few poisonous plants.
From December 14th 2024 to February 1st 2025, from Monday to Saturday (09:30 – 16:30)
Brera Botanical Garden
Via Brera 28 – Via privata F.lli Gabba 10
Well-being and poisons from plants is an exhibition dedicated to poisonous plants which opens the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of Brera Botanical Garden.
In fact, between 1774 and 1775 Brera Botanical Garden was established and thus began its scientific function of botanical studies and higher education, which continues to this day.
At that time the garden was populated mainly by aspiring doctors and pharmacists, while today researchers and students in various disciplines from the University of Milan and other institutes, together with young students of all levels explore this fascinating historical site and attend activities for visitors.
The historical layout from ‘700s is recreated through its peculiar long and narrow flower beds which host many species, among them medicinal plants.
Mankind has always paid particular attention to plants, that is why we have learned, over the centuries, properties useful for our health and well-being, their aesthetic function, and much more.
Although plants can often be useful for our care, they can, at the same time, be toxic. It is therefore crucial to be able to understand and recognize them!
Starting from the botanical tables of Peter Esser (1910), a path discloses the pharmacological function and the dangers that the improper use of plants can entail, from monkshood to common foxglove, from bittersweet nightshade to black hellebore, from water hemlock to thornapple.
The wall-panels, which are part of the heritage of the historic Herbarium of University of Milan, depict with meticulous care the aesthetic and scientific aspects of a selection of poisonous plants, which often also have healing properties. In the exhibition they are reproduced in 1:1 scale.
The exhibition is accompanied by activities, meetings and workshops, for which reservations are required.
With the support by
THE EXHIBITION
Well-being and poisons from plants
In the outdoor space near Sala Vitman, with thematic video projections in the room.
Brera Botanical Garden
Via Brera 28, Via privata F.lli Gabba 10 – Milan
Free entry, during opening hours of the Botanical Garden.
Extraordinary closures: from December 24th to 29th 2024, January 1st and January 6th 2025.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
(activities only in italian)
Saturday December 14th 2024, at 11.00 (duration 2 h)
Meeting with experts and guided tour of the exhibition.
. Die Giftpflanzen Deutschlands: historical didactical wallcharts by P. Esser from early ‘900s.
Prof. Elisabetta Caporali (Dept. of Biosciences/Functional Center of the Brera Botanical Garden Museum and Herbarium-University of Milan)
. Risks and benefits: the two souls of medicinal plants
Prof. Mario Dell’Agli (Dept. of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences/Functional Center of the Brera Botanical Garden Museum and Herbarium-University of Milan)
. Know and recognize toxic and poisonous species
Visit to the exhibition Well-being and poisons of plants
INFO and reservations:
The event is aimed to an adult audience.
Free participation with reservations required from December 9th at the link
https://www.eventbrite.it/e/1106927583199?aff=oddtdtcreator
Saturday 4 January 2025, 11:30 and 14:30 (duration 1 hour and 30 minutes)
Plants seen up close, between art and science
Guided tour of the exhibition Well-being and poisons from plants with laboratory activities such as observation, with microscopes and stereoscopes, of some species belonging to the collections of the Botanical Garden, analysis of their most curious morphological characteristics and learn about their function.
INFO and reservations:
Free participation with reservations required from December 30th at the link
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/le-piante-viste-da-vicino-tra-arte-e-scienza-4-01-3883083
Saturday January 11th 2025, 11:30 and 14:30 (duration 1 hour and 30 minutes)
Plants seen up close, between art and science
Guided tour of the exhibition Well-being and poisons from plants with laboratory activities such as observation, thanks to microscopes and stereoscopes, of some species belonging to the collections of the Botanical Garden, analysis of their most curious morphological characteristics and learn about their function.
INFO and reservations:
Free participation with reservations required from January 6th at the link
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/le-piante-viste-da-vicino-tra-arte-e-scienza-11-01-3883123
Saturday January 18th 2025, 11:30 and 14:30 (duration 1 hour and 30 minutes)
Plants seen up close, between art and science
Guided tour of the exhibition Well-being and poisons from plants with laboratory activities such as observation, thanks to microscopes and stereoscopes, of some species belonging to the collections of the Botanical Garden, analysis of their most curious morphological characteristics and learn about their function.
INFO and reservations:
Free participation with reservations required from January 13th at the link
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/le-piante-viste-da-vicino-tra-arte-e-scienza-18-01-3883133
Saturday January 25th 2025, 11:30 and 14:30 (duration 1 hour and 30 minutes)
Magical and poisonous plants
Laboratory for children and teenagers (6-13 years old)
Let’s learn together about properties, characteristics and practical uses of a few “magical” herbs with healing properties, you will also learn how to recognize some of the most poisonous plants that lives in our woods, parks and gardens.
Reservations:
Free participation with reservations required from January 20th at the link
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/piante-magiche-e-velenose-laboratorio-6-13-anni-3883243
Further info
Papaver somniferum
Datura stramonium
