Dangerous Plants in the Colonial Imagination: Rumphius and the Poison Tree

摘要: One of the most celebrated plants in Rumphius’ “Ambonese herbal” is Poison Tree or Upas tree (Antiaris toxicaria (Pers.) Lesch.). account it high colored, even fanciful. In political economy and ecology time, this reflects colonial fear secret native knowledge resources. It also exaggeration resource. The combined result was centuries European speculation concerning tree. Imagination an integral component region’s ancient global trade plant products always co-produced by participants from both poles system, Europe Orient. role imagination perceptions illuminated its black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). Pepper good region, dominated for three centuries. Its cultivation drew peoples states into often unwelcome embrace powers. Some tried to abolish cultivation, claiming (e.g.) that hot vapours led ‘malice all over country’ government disorder. This another case which imagery through relationship between actors. one great values work: illuminates confluence East West production early modern era, bears lessons understanding people, plants, Orient day. publication “Herbarium” gives us incomparable resource taking a long, insightful, view relationship.