Xylotheque

The Xylotheque of the Botanical Garden of Palermo is a historical collection of wood samples created between 1890 and 1969, consisting of approximately 120 items from trees that were felled or fell within the Garden itself.

The term xylotheque, from the Greek xylon (“wood”) and theke (“chest”), refers to a collection of wood samples for botanical identification and technological study of wood.

It is a unique collection of specimens consisting of book-shaped blocks of wood, cut to show a representative section that includes both the central part of the trunk and the bark. The only exception is the specimen of Quercus suber, which is presented in a cylindrical section, showing its characteristic thick cork bark.

These “wooden books” are accompanied by the original labels bearing the botanical name of the species. The specimens belong to 34 families (mainly Angiosperms), the most represented being Fabaceae (15) and Moraceae (13).

The recently restored collection is on display in the showcases of the central hall of the Gymnasium, where visitors can admire the specimens up close. Today, it is a fundamental tool for teaching, scientific research and the study of the history of the Garden.