Article

The biodiversity of the Sicilian plant heritage is examined as far as the occurrence of the cultivated plants of agricultural interest in ancient collections and illustrations is concerned. With this aim, collections dating back to XVIII and XIX centuries are taken into account, starting from the foundation of the Prince of Cattolica botanical garden, in 1690. The features of this heritage and their consistence with the past are considered referring to Arabian-Norman and previous times. Finally, the value of ancient collections in the agricultural heritage finding and conservation is examined.